When you use the EXPORT procedure on an Excel workbook, the workbook might be corrupted and the following error message generated:

ERROR: The MS Excel table (worksheetname) has been opened for OUTPUT. 
This table already exists, or there is a name conflict with an
existing object. This table will not be replaced. This engine 
does not support the REPLACE option.
ERROR: Export unsuccessful.  See SAS Log for details.

This problem can occur if a previous EXPORT procedure attempts to export a SAS data set in the workbook that does not contain any observations. The following example illustrates an export procedure on such a data set:

The problem occurs because the SAS data set does not contain any data to export. As a result, a corrupted structure is created.

To circumvent the problem, do one of the following:

• Use the SQL procedure with a DROP TABLE statement to drop the empty data set before replacing it, as shown in the following example:
  %macro blowup; data a; a=1; stop; run; %do i=1 %to 2; libname test excel 'c:\sastest\test2.xls'; proc sql; drop table test.a; quit; libname test clear; proc export data=a outfile="c:\sastest\test2.xls" dbms=excel2000 replace; run; %end; %mend; %blowup;
• If you intend to create an empty Excel workbook, use a LIBNAME statement with the EXCEL engine and a new Excel workbook name, as shown here:
  libname test excel 'c:\sastest\test2.xls'; libname test clear;

  This example creates a blank Excel workbook that you can use later.

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