If the data set exists but has ZERO obs then you can add one with all missing values. I think this should allow the EXCEL sheet to be created, but I have not tested that. Here is a program that will add one obs to a zero obs data set or do nothing if the data set has observations.
[pre]
data class;
stop; /* comment or remove stop to test with obs */
set sashelp.class;
run;
data class;
if _n_ eq 1 and eof then output;
stop;
modify class end=eof;
run;
proc print;
run;
[/pre]
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