KB171000592: WebCenter - Error importing ODBC database generated Excel spreadsheets as Lists

Summary

Excel spreadsheets containing data provided by an ODBC database connection cannot be used as WebCenter Lists. If an attempt is made to use such an Excel sheet as a List, an error is displayed and a List without any (formula) data is created in WebCenter.

Symptoms

Following error message is displayed (or similar):

Unable to obtain a connection to the database. Try your action again, if the problem persists contact your administrator.

Cannot get a text value from an error formula cell.

The List is actually generated, but does not contain any formula data. Other columns may be imported however.

Solution

You cannot use Excel spreadsheets generated in this way as a WebCenter List. Fields must contain actual data, not data generated from calls to a database.