topic Re: How to read multiple excel files from server that does not show the file extension in SAS Programming

How to read multiple excel files from server that does not show the file extension

Stalk — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 02:11:13 GMT

I have about 300 excel files on server and need to read only 30 files with specific word ( For ex: \\temp\reach\*conc_v.xlsx ) and append them to create one big dataset.

When I see them on windows, I cannot see their file extension .xlsx. Also, I have to read the file name as first or last field so that I can concat to extract one piece of information from each file to use as title for my graph.

Any thought or leads with examples?

Thank you

Re: How to read multiple excel files from server that does not show the file extension

Kurt_Bremser — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 05:24:36 GMT

Change the settings of Windows Explorer so that it does not suppress the file extensions.

If you want to list a directory from within SAS, use the DOPEN, DNUM and DREAD functions. See my WUSS presentation for examples.

You will need to run the import code for Excel files repeatedly.

If you had text files instead, you can read them into the dataset in one DATA step.

Re: How to read multiple excel files from server that does not show the file extension

Stalk — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 16:32:26 GMT

Thank you Kurt. I changed the properties in the control panel to show the file extensions. Unfortunately I have to read .xlsx files only not .csv or .txt. found a work around to process all the files. Your paper is very helpful to review lot of steps.

Re: How to read multiple excel files from server that does not show the file extension

Tom — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 17:57:32 GMT

Turn off whatever option it is in Windows Explorer that is hiding the file extensions.

Windows does try to use different icons for different file extensions. But they are often very similar (or even the exact same) for different extensions.