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Excel Reader unable to read my Excel file

  • May 29, 2026
  • 4 replies
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datablue
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I’m using FME Form 2026.1. I have 5 MB Excel file with 4 sheets. Every year I need to update my solution with an updated Excel file. In the past, the Excel reader has been able to read this Excel file without an issue. This time, the Excel reader can’t read the file.

Initially, I received this error in my log: Excel Reader: Reading sheet .../_xlnm.Print_Titles

I figured out that I can avoid that by using the Parameters editor, but only 2 of the 4 sheets were available and one of the sheet names was repeated about 100 times. I need to read 3 of the 4 sheets.

I discovered that I can export sheets as csv then create a csv reader. This appears to work, but it takes a few extra steps. I don’t think that I can share the Excel file publicly, but I could share it with someone from Safe Software if they want a case of an Excel file not being able to be read in. I could share my findings with the organization that distributes the Excel file.

Thanks

4 replies

datablue
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  • datablueSupporter
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  • June 2, 2026

After further testing, I discovered that the Reader has different behavior depending on the FME Form version that I’m using with my Excel file. I’m using the Parameters button.

  • 2026.1.2: Reads 2 of 4 sheets. One sheet name is repeated about 100 times.
  • 2025.2.3: Clicking on the Parameters button displays, “Could not find sheets” message.
  • 2025.0.3: Reads 4 of 4 sheets. Works fine.

I just submitted a ticket with my Excel file to report this issue. 

j.botterill
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  • j.botterillInfluencer
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  • June 3, 2026

I too had issues with the Excel parameters in latest version. A bug was filed, triggers when Update Reader is opened again

If you do need to use Update Reader again, you can correct any reverted sheet by toggling the Field Names Row value away from your intended setting and pressing Enter, then toggling it back and pressing Enter again before applying. This forces the dialog to refresh and correctly respect the setting.

datablue
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  • datablueSupporter
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  • June 3, 2026

​@j.botterill Thanks for the tip. I don’t understand your suggestion; my workaround was to export a CSV file and then use the CSV Reader. That worked fine, but I would prefer to use the Excel Reader.

One of my column names changed and I had to create a new reader. 

j.botterill
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  • j.botterillInfluencer
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  • June 3, 2026

I suspect a number of regressions in the 26.1 fme (where they have switched over to REST api v4). My issue was updating a reader > parameters > the “sheets to read” forgets all the previous settings for ‘Field Names Row’ etc reverting to 1… when I had it set to 3 (third row is the column header/field names). Sounds like your issue is kinda related, where it’s losing the mapping of the parameters per sheet 

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