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Posted by Andy Brown on 16 April 2013
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Can't connect to Excel workbook using SSIS Package
This short blog explains why you might get the messages:
- No tables or views could be loaded; or
- Could not retrieve the table information for the connection manager ...; or
- Failed to connect to the source using the connection manager ...
The Scenario
You've created an Excel connection to a workbook (here we're using a workbook of X factor contestants - sorry, rest-of-world):

The Excel connection manager is shown selected.
You then add an Excel data source to a data flow task:

The Excel data source, awaiting configuration.
You then double-click on the data source to configure it, and get this:

The error message: No tables or views could be loaded.
This message then appears:

You have failed to connect to the source using the connection manager!
The Solution
A bit of an anti-climax after all that: you've got the Excel workbook open! Just close it, and try everything again, and it should work:

It's those wretched X-Factor contestants - you've left the workbook open.
Just thought I'd share that frustration - and solution. You might also like to see information on our SSIS courses and Excel courses.