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"Syntax error in FROM clause" when getting external data

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Symptoms

When you use Microsoft Query to return external data to a worksheet in Microsoft Excel or when you view returned data in Microsoft Query, you may receive the following error message:
Syntax error in FROM clause.

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Cause

This problem occurs if you attempt to retrieve data from a Microsoft Access or Microsoft Excel database, and the path to the database contains a period (.), for example:
C:\My.Test\Northwind.mdb

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Workaround

To work around this problem, change the path to the database so that it does not contain any periods, for example:
C:\MyTest\Northwind.mdb C:\My Test\Northwind.mdb
NOTE: You may use a period before the file name extension (.mdb in this case).

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More information

When the path to the file contains a period, the path is qualified incorrectly by Microsoft Query. As a result, the Structured Query Language (SQL) statement for the data you are retrieving is incorrect, and you receive the error message in the "Symptoms" section.

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Keywords: KB214377, kbprb, kbpending, kberrmsg

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Article Info
Article ID : 214377
Revision : 7
Created on : 3/22/2007
Published on : 3/22/2007
Exists online : False
Views : 347