How to import data in excel?

Importing data to MS Excel is the process of transferring data from other database sources and converting the data into .xls format. This process eliminates the need to manually enter every item into a new Excel worksheet. Importing data therefore saves the user a lot of time and reduces human error the best way possible.

The source data is called internal data source if it is located in files or folders in your own personal computer.

Importing Data through the Import Data Functionality

On a new Microsoft Excel worksheet, click on the Taskbar menu labeled Data then scroll down to Import External Data. A new menu will pop up on the right. Select Import Data to open the Select Data Source dialog box. Browse over the files in your computer to find your data source or file.

Just remember that the data should be in a format supported by Excel. You will know if your data is importable to Excel if it appears in the default Select Data Source dialog box settings Files of type, All Data Sources.

Once you have selected your data source or file, click Open. The Select Table dialog box will appear. Highlight the particular worksheet you wish to import and click the button OK at the bottom of the dialog box.

The Import Data window will pop up in consequence where you will be asked where you want to put your imported data. Click the Existing Worksheet button if you wish to put the data in your current worksheet or click the button for New Worksheet if you want to add another worksheet to your current MS Excel file to accomodate imported data.

After you have made your choice, click OK at the upper right corner of the window to initiate the data import. If you wish to import other worksheets from the same file, repeat the process. Just select another worksheet when you get to the Select Table window.

Importing Data through Copying and Pasting

If you are going to import data from another .xls file, importing data to a new Excel file can be done through copying and pasting. Simply open a new workbook file or a new worksheet in an existing Excel file. Open, too, the source Excel workbook.

In your source Excel file, select the worksheet you wish to import by clicking on the cell at the upper left corner, the apex cell between Column A and Row 1. This will highlight all the values in the source worksheet.

Right click then select Copy from the pop-up menu or select Edit then Copy from the Excel worksheet Menu Taskbar. Click on your destination Excel workbook tab then click the same apex cell between Column A and Row 1 on your destination worksheet. Right click then select Paste from the right click menu or select Edit from the Menu Taskbar and scroll down to Paste. This will transfer all values, formats, and formula from the source worksheet to the new Excel file.