SAS 9.3 users on a 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 machine may receive an error when trying to import or export Microsoft Excel and Access files.  The error may occur no matter which method of import the user attempts (File > Import Data or running Proc Import).

The solution is to download and install the SAS PC Files Server (For complete instructions see Usage Note 43802: Installing SAS® 9.3 PC Files Server and using it to convert 32-bit Microsoft Office files to SAS 64-bit files) 

Here are the installation instructions:

1. Download the PC Files Server from http://support.sas.com/demosdownloads/setupcat.jsp?cat=SAS+PC+Files+Server
2. Unzip the file on your computer and it will create a folder to a location on your hard drive that you specify.
3. Open the unzipped folder and double-click on the setup.exe program.
4. You will have the option to install PC Files Server as a service.  This is recommended, but note that if the Excel or Access files you are importing are stored on a network drive then you must use UNC names (\\servername\directory\file) instead of drive letters when you reference the file(s).

Content added June 29, 2012