My Microsoft Access Database's Saved Imports don't work

Anonymous
2025-04-17T02:15:24+00:00

As of right now, I am running the most current Microsoft Access program on my computer. It should be close to the 2019 one, but I am uncertain if it truly is.

However, I believe that the "saved imports" should work even in older versions.

Let me explain:

I am working on a project that imports an Excel spreadsheet (A very large, complicated one) and creates a report formatted in precise ways to display precise information. When importing the Excel details, I go through the process of selecting the workbook and choosing which columns to skip and which ones to import, etc. and then "save import steps". I don't have the import wizard analyze my table though because I have had issues with it in the past.

I have done this over 20 times due to the file changes. But even right after performing and saving the last import with the correct files, I first get the error: "Cannot delete a field that is part of an index or is needed by the system"

This is normal and fine to work around. However, I then get another error stating: "The specificiation failed to execute. Try re-creating the specification."

Which I have always assumed is the import process.

However, this is without changing anything on my PC after just creating the saved import.

This database is to be used on multiple different computers for a company, and it should automatically run the same import as long as the new file pathway/location is changed in the "Saved Imports" screen. But my database will not do this.

If anyone could give me insight on what I could be missing or doing wrong, I would greatly appreciate the help. I have run out of ideas.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | Other | Other

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  1. Duane Hookom 26,280 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-04-17T02:43:09+00:00

    I would show all hidden and system tables for a couple with I believe “IMEX” in the name. You might find something by exploring these. If I recall correctly, the primary foreign keys are a bit different.

    This is just a WAG.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-04-17T03:01:12+00:00

    Thank you so much for your reply. I am not an Access Expert, to make sure I understand: The relevant tables need to be saved with the name and "IMEX" in there somewhere.

    What does "WAG" mean?

    Thank you for your help.

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  3. Duane Hookom 26,280 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-04-17T03:25:49+00:00

    Did you change the Access options to show system tables? You should be able to see the relevant tables. The system table names begin with “msys”. WAG is Wild … Guess.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-04-17T03:33:45+00:00

    Oh gosh lol the only thing I could find when I tried searching was "Wives and Girlfriends" and I didn't think that fit. Well, Amy guess of yours is better than no idea of mine. Thank you!

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  5. Duane Hookom 26,280 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-04-17T04:28:53+00:00

    Did you set the Access options to show the system tables and find the two tables that store the import and export definitions? One table is basically the header information and the other is the related columns.

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