I'm trying to insert data a named range in an .xlsx file with the following code:
libname MyXLSX PCFILES path="&SrcPath.\Alt_Rptg_Tree.xlsx" SCAN_TEXTSIZE=NO;
PROC SQL ;
 INSERT INTO MyXLSX.Acct_Chkr
   SELECT t1.Class_Description,
     t1.Sub_Class_Description,
     t1.Item_Description,
     t1.Cost_Element_Num,
     t1.Cost_Element_Description,
     t1.Rptg_SubClass_Name,
     t1.Rptg_SC_Order
   FROM PERM.REF_CE_TREE t1;
QUIT; 
But, despite having the column attributes set to number in Excel (with Format Cells…), I get the following error:
ERROR: Value 4 on the SELECT clause does not match the data type of the corresponding column listed after the INSERT table name. 
When I view the properties of MyXLSX.Acct_Chkr they are all defined as char with $255 format.
Is there any way either in SAS or Excel to force the columns to match the type in my data? 
 
(Using SAS9.4 through EG7.1 with a Windows server.)