Why is the error "No value given for one or more required parameters" thrown while reading columns above 255 in an Excel file with UiPath Database activities using "Microsoft Access Database file" as the Data source?
Issue Description
When 'Microsoft Access Database File' is used as a data source to access Excel files via UiPath Database activities and when attempting to access columns beyond this limit results in an execution failure, accompanied by the error message: "No value given for one or more required parameters".
Root Cause
This issue occurs because of a limitation in Microsoft Access when linking to an external table. Microsoft Access can only retrieve the first 255 columns of an external table. Consequently, attempting to retrieve any column beyond this limit throws the "No value given for one or more required parameters" error.
Resolution
To resolve the issue, Microsoft ODBC Data source should be used as the data source instead of Microsoft Access Database File. In this setup, the Microsoft Excel driver will serve as the Machine Data Source.
Follow the steps below to read more than 255 columns from Excel files:
- For the 'Connect Database' activity, click on 'Configure Connection'
- Connection Wizard
- Select Data Source as "Microsoft ODBC Data Source"
- Select 'Use Connection String' and click on 'Build
- Click on 'Machine Data Source'
- Click on 'New'
Note: You might encounter the below Pop-up which is just a warning and you can continue to the next step by clicking "ok"
- Select 'User data source' and click on 'Next'
- Select 'Microsoft Excel Driver (.xls) and click on Next and then 'Finish'.
- Provide a name for the Data source and click on 'Select Workbook'
- Select the Excel file and click 'Ok'. Click 'OK' for all the preceding windows