Connect - Import Tables - requires Excel

When trying to import an .xlsx file it appears MicroStation requires Excel to be installed.

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  • No. The "import from Excel" feature requires an API which we can use to read the contents, formatting, etc from the .xls/.xlsx file.
    The most robust and up-to-date such API is provided by Microsoft and requires Excel to be installed.
    Alternatives exist, but they will not operate as reliably.

    David, you are welcome to file an enhancement request if this is a problem for you.
    You will find most other Excel-related features in the product have this same requirement.

    Regards,
    Paul
  • If that other application exposed the same objects and methods as Excel does, it probably would be interchangeable, but that part maybe somewhat tricky to say the least.
    MicroStation CE requires a web browser to be installed to consult the help. So much for basic functions not requiring other programs to be installed. Should Bentley build their own web browser then? I sure hope not.
  • Unknown said:
    So much for basic functions not requiring other programs to be installed

    True but the browser comes install with the OS, its free and I even have a choice about what browser I can use.  Help works on an out of the box default Windows install. I don't have to purchase and install a browser to use help. 

    Do I have my choice of Google Doc, Open office, Numbers or Excel?  No.  I have to buy Excel.  I'm only talking about importing.  I'm not asking for dynamic interaction.      xlsx is an open file format.  There is certainly no a technical reason that Excel be required.  I don't need Excel installed to import an .xlsx file into any other software programs I have.

  • I agree, you have a point, but where do you draw the line?

    Should Bentley then include OpenOffice or better LibreOffice in their packages and force you to install that, even if you have Excel installed? Free Office Online is nice, but automation might be a bit of a challenge.

    Microsoft once claimed that around 85% of Windows machines have Office installed on them. It may be even more in a business environment. So what would you have Bentley do? Ignore reality? Ship a License of Office with MicroStation?
    They'll never please everybody unless LibreOffice VBA is an exact copy of Microsoft VBA. They look similar, but a "choose your office of choice"-approach is going to cost Bentley (and thus their customers) money as well.
  • We don't need Rhino to import 3dm, and so on...

    José