How to Import New Data from MS Access Front End with SQL Server back end

Question

• Hello,

I need to find a way to import new data into a database which comprises of a SQL Server back end and an MS Access 2010 front end with linked tables to the back end, from the front end.

Ideally, this would involve a user clicking a button on a form in the front end and selecting an excel spreadsheet with new data to import, which would then be saved in the back end SQL Server tables.

I have created a vba module in the Excel spreadsheet I want to import. The code is:

Public Function ExcelPicker(Optional strFileName As String, _
    Optional ByVal strWindowTitle As String = "Select an excel file") As String

    Dim fd As Office.FileDialog

    'Set fd = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFolderPicker)
    Set fd = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFilePicker)

    With fd
        .Title = strWindowTitle
        .Filters.Add "All files", "*.*", 1
        .Filters.Add "Excel Workbooks", "*.xls;*.xlsx;*.xlsm", 2
        .AllowMultiSelect = False
        If .Show = -1 Then
            FilePicker = (.SelectedItems(1))
        Else
            FilePicker = vbNullString
        End If
    End With
    Set fd = Nothing
End Function

I have then created an import button on the MS Access 2010 front end, and in the OnClick event I have entered the code:

Private Sub cmdImportFilterResults_Click()

Dim sExcelFile As String
Set sExcelFile = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFilePicker)
'' if sExcelFile is not blank then
'' import the file to MSSQL linked table
If sExcelFile <> "" Then
    DoCmd.TransferSpreadsheet acImport, acSpreadsheetTypeExcel12Xml, "[Database].Table_Result", sExcelFile, True
End If
End Sub

However, when I click on the import button in the front end, nothing is happening. What is wrong in my code or my solution?

Answer 1

Here's a working example:

Private Sub cmdImportFilterResults_Click()
    Dim strWindowTitle As String
    Dim objDialog As Object
    Dim sExcelFile As String

    strWindowTitle = "Select an excel file"
    Set objDialog = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFilePicker)
    With objDialog
        .Title = strWindowTitle
        .Filters.Add "Excel Workbooks", "*.xls;*.xlsx;*.xlsm", 1
        .AllowMultiSelect = False
        .Show
        If .SelectedItems.Count = 0 Then
            MsgBox "No File Selected."
        Else
            sExcelFile = Dir(.SelectedItems(1))
        End If
    End With
    ' if sExcelFile is not blank then
    ' import the file to MSSQL linked table
    If sExcelFile <> "" Then
        DoCmd.TransferSpreadsheet acImport, acSpreadsheetTypeExcel12Xml, "[Database].Table_Result", sExcelFile, True
    End If
End Sub