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IBM Data and AI Ideas Portal for Customers


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Status Delivered
Workspace SPSS Modeler
Components SPSS Modeler
Created by Guest
Created on Jan 27, 2017

Excel Import Node - Allow STORAGE override to avoid losing data

Right now, Modeler has issues importing Excel files for string fields that may have blank rows. If the first 50 rows of that field are blank, Modeler will default that field to a numeric storage, and any data further down would be lost. There is no easy workaround without converting the Excel file to another format which isn't always realistic.

Modeler should be able to handle Excel imports better. Either:

A) Provide a storage override in the Excel import node that allows you to specify the field storage at the beginning (like you can for a variable file/CSV). This would be the preferable and more flexible option.

B) Default blank fields to be a string, which at least allows all data to get fed in, even if it has to get converted later. This could even be an option that the user could select to allow for both choices.