Microsoft KB Archive/73171

{| = Excel Err Msg: Database Range Is Not Valid =
 * width="100%"|

Last reviewed: November 29, 1994

Article ID: Q73171 The information in this article applies to:
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0
 * Microsoft Excel for OS/2, versions 2.2 and 3.0

SUMMARY
When you attempt to extract data from an external database, Microsoft Excel displays the error message &quot;Database Range Is Not Valid&quot; if the external database range is on a closed sheet. The sheet must be open for the extraction to work.

MORE INFORMATION
If you prefer not to have the external sheet open, use the Q+E program included with Microsoft Excel 3.0 and 4.0 to access the range.


 * 1) Load Q+E by choosing Activate Q+E from the Data menu. If this option is not available, then first open QE.XLA from the XLSTART\QEMACRO subdirectory of Microsoft Excel. If QEMACRO is not a subdirectory of XLSTART, Q+E may not be installed. If Q+E fills the screen, minimize it.
 * 2) From the Excel Data menu, choose Set Database.
 * 3) Select External Database.
 * 4) From the Source drop-down list box, select ExcelFile.
 * 5) Change to the directory that contains the Excel file with the desired Database. Select the file and choose OK.
 * 6) From the Data menu, choose Paste Field Names to paste the field names into your desired criteria and extract ranges.
 * 7) Set the Criteria and Extract ranges.
 * 8) From the Data menu, choose Extract.