Linking to Excel sheet through ODBC

[PSC User]

When creating an Org Chart through the wizard, it gives the option of
linking to a database through ODBC, then gives Excel as an option. (In this
case, it's Excel 2002 and Visio 2003, running on Windows 2000). But when we
select the Excel file (with data filled in on a named sheet) Visio rejects
it, saying there is no table present. Is there something I'm not doing to
the .xls file to "prepare" it to be accessed in this manner?

 

[Jay]

When creating an Org Chart through the wizard, it gives the option of
linking to a database through ODBC, then gives Excel as an option. (In
this case, it's Excel 2002 and Visio 2003, running on Windows 2000).
But when we select the Excel file (with data filled in on a named
sheet) Visio rejects it, saying there is no table present. Is there
something I'm not doing to the .xls file to "prepare" it to be
accessed in this manner?

The wizard expects specific column headings and content.

The easiest way to get started is to choose "Information that I enter using
the wizard" the first time through. This opens a sample Excel file with the
expected layout. The columns are:
A. Name
B. Reports_to
C. Title
D. Department
E. Telephone
For some reason I don't understand, the wizard expects row 2 to be empty.

You can paste your data into the sample, or use it as a starting point for
a separate spreadsheet of your own.

(I have Visio 2002 and Excel 97.)