Curtis,
 macro wksht recolved to 'Data Template$' (with quotes around it).
when i run the following i get an error:
%macro test;
proc sql;
 connect to excel (path="&inpt.\Nationwide Childrens Hospital 2009 08.xls"
                   header=no mixed=yes );
 create table NationwideChildern as
   select * from connection to excel 
   %if %substr(%superQ(wksht),1,1) = %str(%') %then %do;
 (select * from [%sysfunc(dequote(%superQ(wksht)))]);
%end;
%else %do;
(select * from [&wksht]);
%end;  
  disconnect from excel;
quit;
%mend test;
%test;
ERROR: A character operand was found in the %EVAL function or %IF condition where a numeric  operand is required. The condition was: %substr(%superQ(wksht),1,1) = '
ERROR: The macro TEST will stop executing.