When you use PROC EXPORT with the XLS engine and a file reference (fileref) for the OUTFILE= argument, the Microsoft Excel file can become corrupted.

The following code demonstrates this issue:

When you open the resulting file, the following message appears in Excel:

There are two possible workarounds.

Workaround 1

Do not use a fileref for the OUTFILE= argument. The following code provides an example of this workaround:

Workaround 2

Use the SHEET= option. The following syntax provides an example of this workaround:

Click the Hot Fix tab in this note for a link to instructions about accessing and applying the software update.

Operating System and Release Information

Viya on Linux: An update for this issue is available for SAS Viya 3.5. For instructions on how to access and apply software updates, see the Updating Your SAS Viya software section in the SAS Viya 3.5 for Linux Deployment Guide at