---
title: "Troubleshooting Source Fields"
canonical: "https://servicedesk.maxgeo.com/space/LC/1263206460/Troubleshooting%20Source%20Fields"
format: markdown
---
<u>**Problem:**</u>

1. I am receiving the following error:
  - "Error accessing columns: Select method of Worksheet class failed" - start at **Troubleshooting 1**.
  - "Connect to Excel file cuased: IErrorInfo.GetDescription failed with E_FAIL(0x80004005). in [file:..."](#) - start at **Troubleshooting 3**.
2. The fields in Importer don't match the fields in the excel document - start at **Troubleshooting 3**.

<u>**Troubleshooting:**</u>

1. Check the field "Source Type" (top right) matches the document you are trying to open.
  - If it does not - refer **Cause 1**.
2. Check if anyone is currently using the source document.
  - If someone is - refer **Cause 2**.
3. Unhide all worksheets and examine the properties of all worksheets - if the answer to *any *is 'no' - refer **Cause 3**:
  - Is all header information contained in a single row, being row 1?
  - Does the data to be imported start at row 2?
  - Are all cells unmerged? (i.e. check to ensure you don't have merged cells).
  - Does data in the header row contain only letters and numbers? (i.e. no spaces or symbols).
  - Is data in the header row unique? (i.e. check you don't have duplicate values in this row).
  - 
4. Looking at row 1 in the relevant worksheet:
  - Is this your header row (i.e. does this label each column of data)?  If no - refer **Cause 2.**
  - Are there are merged cells?  If yes - refer **Cause 1**.
5. Looking at row 2 in the relevant worksheet:
  - Is this where your data starts? If no - refer **Cause 2**.

<u>**Cause:**</u>

1. The system is expecting 1 source type, and you are providing it with another - refer **Solution 1**.
2. The system wants to take information from the document, but is unable to do so as it is currently in use - refer **Solution 2**.
3. The system doesn't recognise the table and/or data - refer **Solution 3**.

<u>**Solution:**</u>

1. Ensure your source document is either a shape file or an excel file - no other format is compatible - and then select the corresponding selection in the "Source Type" field.
2. Ask whoever it is to stop using the document, or try this process again once they have finished doing what they are doing.
3. Edit the format of your document until it complies with the following requirements, noting that any worksheet required to be imported should be deleted to protect against errors detecting the source document:
  - The table should not be rotated - this is, the first row is the header data, not the first column.
  - The first row should be the header row.  The following properties apply to the header row:
    - No spaces.
    - No symbols.
    - No merged cells.
    - No duplicate values.
    - Data in this row not required to be imported into the database.
  - The second row should be the start of data that is to be imported.  The following properties apply to the data rows:
    - No merged cells.
    - No empty rows.
    - Data in these rows are all required to be imported into the database.
  - There should be no rows above your header row, no rows between the header row and where the data starts and there should only only be 1 header row.