Why does QUERYBUILDER ask for a username and password when using an Excel File data source with no worksheet specified in Database Toolbox 3.3 (R2007a)?

I select the "Excel File" ODBC data source in QUERYBUILDER. The Visual Query Builder then prompts me for username and password, which should not be needed for Excel Files.

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

This is the expected behavior when no workbook is specified.

To work around this issue, specify a Workbook before using the Excel File data source. To do this:

1. From the Visual Query Builder, select File (Query for newer versions of MATLAB)->Define ODBC Data Sources.

2. Select Excel Files, and click Configure.

3. Click Select Workbook and pick your XLS-file.

4. Click OK, then OK.

You should now be able to use the Excel Files datasource.

In general, when a database connection fails, the Query Builder then attempts to reconnect with a username and password, as this is the cause of most failures with most databases. Attempting to connect to an unspecified Excel file triggers this behavior.