# Creating a dataset using a Microsoft Excel file
Microsoft Excel files

To create a dataset using a Microsoft Excel file data source, upload an .xlsx file from a local or networked drive. The data is imported into [SPICE](spice.md).

 For more information about creating new Amazon S3 datasets using Amazon S3 data sources, see [Creating a dataset using an existing Amazon S3 data source](create-a-data-set-existing.md#create-a-data-set-existing-s3) or [Creating a dataset using Amazon S3 files](create-a-data-set-s3.md). 

**To create a dataset based on an excel file**

1. Check [Data source quotas](data-source-limits.md) to make sure that your target file doesn't exceed data source quotas.

1. On the Quick start page, choose **Data**.

1. On the **Data** page, choose **Create ** then **New dataset**.

1. Choose **Upload a file**.

1. In the **Open** dialog box, choose a file, and then choose **Open**.

   A file must be 1 GB or less to be uploaded to Quick Sight.

1. If the Excel file contains multiple sheets, choose the sheet to import. You can change this later by preparing the data. 

1. 
**Note**  
On the following screens, you have multiple chances to prepare the data. Each of these takes you to the **Prepare Data** screen. This screen is the same one where you can access after the data import is complete. It enables you to change the upload settings even after the upload is complete.

    Choose **Select** to confirm your settings. Or you can choose **Edit/Preview data** to prepare the data immediately.

   A preview of the data appears on the next screen. You can't make changes directly to the data preview. 

1. If the data headings and content don't look correct, choose **Edit settings and prepare data** to correct the file upload settings. 

   Otherwise, choose **Next**.

1. On the **Data Source Details** screen, you can choose **Edit/Preview data**. You can specify a dataset name in the **Prepare Data** screen. 

   If you don't need to prepare the data, you can choose to create an analysis using the data as-is. Choose **Visualize**. Doing this names the dataset the same as the source file, and takes you to the **Analysis** screen. To learn more about data preparation and excel upload settings, see [Preparing data in Amazon Quick Sight](preparing-data.md).

**Note**  
If at anytime you want to make changes to the file, such as adding a new field,you must make the change in Microsoft Excel and create a new dataset using the updated version in Quick Sight. For more information about possible implications of changing datasets, see [Things to consider when editing datasets](edit-a-data-set.md#change-a-data-set) .