Here, for pdf reading into SAS environment, you can see this online post on how to read and process pdf document within .net programming environment, which involves and offers the comprehensive guides on PDF document reader and processor add-on, we can read, display and handle PDF file within web browser, load PDF from web server or local file, mark PDF file with rich annotations, redact the content of PDF file without using any external Adobe software, and even combine barcode reading and writing abilities with PDF document manager to create and scan linear or 2d barcodes to or from PDF file. ... View more

SAS Import Wizard is not that reliable, even when converting an .xlsx to .xls (93-2000 version). For example, columns with mixed types are often improporely read into SAS, such that missing data occurs. Consider a column with a majority of 3 digit numeric values and a small number of values having leading zeros. Those latter values are missed by the Import Wizard and converted to missing values (null). Even changing the INFORMAT while in the Wizard does not always work and the blanks occur. (E.g. try this with ICD-9 or DRG codes.) I get consistent and accurate imported products with the fewest problems when I first convert the native Excel file to a .csv file. Next. I'll import the .csv file into SAS.  .csv files import quite easily if you are using R. I hope this is a viable option for you. ... View more

There are errors related to the Microsoft ace driver. As sas is dependent on that it cannot fix that errors remember it is ms. SAS could better use the xlsx open office specification oasis.org and with that the ms extensions. If you would classify that decision not doing so as a sas problem. Your opinion is right to say. In that case it is less a technical issue more a political one. ... View more