Failed connection errors can occur when using the Import Wizard in SAS 9.3 to import Excel files on Windows X64 systems. The following errors also occur in the SAS log:

Here is a display of the errors:

The problem can have a couple of causes.

Cause 1: SAS Is 64-bit and Microsoft Office Is 32-bit

The most common cause of this problem is having 64-bit SAS with the 32-bit Microsoft Office software suite. The Microsoft Excel Workbook selection in the Import Wizard is for a 64-bit Microsoft Office. Look at the top of the SAS log to check which version you have. If the log indicates that it is executing on an X64 platform, then you have 64-bit SAS. To check the bitness of Excel, follow the instructions below.

For Office 2013, complete these steps:

1. Open a new workbook.
2. Click File and then Account.
3. Click the About Excel box in the center of the window.
4. The bitness of Excel is located in the top of the window (32-bit or 64-bit).

For Office 2010, complete these steps:

1. Open a new worksheet.
2. Click File and then Help.
3. About Excel and its bitness (32-bit or 64-bit) is displayed.

If Office is 64-bit, you can skip to Cause 2: Missing Microsoft Components or the Microsoft Components Failed to Register in the Windows Registry.

If SAS is 64-bit and Office is 32-bit, select Microsoft Excel Workbook on PC Files Server in the Import Wizard as shown in this display:

For complete instructions about how to use the Import Wizard with the SAS^® PC Files Server, see the following:

• SAS Note 44197: "Using the Import Wizard with the SAS^® PC Files Server on Windows X64 systems in SAS^® 9.3"
• SAS Note 45430: "How to use the Export Wizard to export Excel files with the SAS PC File Server"

If the SAS PC Files Server is not installed, you see this error pop-up message when importing or exporting your files:

If you see this message, then you need to verify that the SAS PC File Server is installed by selecting Start ► All Programs ► SAS ► PC Files Server.

If it is not installed, see the following SAS Notes for more information:

• For SAS^® 9.4, SAS Note 54413: "Summary of steps to install and use the SAS^® 9.4 PC Files Server."
• For SAS 9.3, SAS Note 43802: "Installing SAS^® 9.3 PC Files Server and using it to convert 32-bit Microsoft Office files to SAS^® 64-bit files."

If the SAS PC Files Server is installed and you still see this message, contact SAS Technical Support for more help

Cause 2: Missing Microsoft Components or the Microsoft Components Failed to Register in the Windows Registry

This problem can also occur when the Microsoft components that the drivers require are not installed. If this is the source of the problem, you can install the drivers from the Microsoft website at these locations:

• Microsoft Access 2013 Runtime download page for Office 2013
• Microsoft Access 2016 Runtime download page for Office 2016

Note: If you have 32-bit Microsoft Office, download the AccessDatabaseEngine.exe. If you have 64-bit Microsoft Office. download the AccessDatabaseEngine_x64.exe.

If you are still encountering errors, contact SAS Technical Support for more help.