data source import excel invalid character error

[Les1]

Trying to import via SFTP data source a simple excel xlxs spreadsheet with 2 columns and typical header row 1 sheet 1  format.

when doing a test first 20 records load it appears to import but when you try to look at the imported data:

1.  Clicking the preview "i" icont to the left of the import set row just spins, doesnt want to preview.
2.  Clicking on the row brings up an page saying:  Character reference "&#3" is an invalid XML character.

Any hints as to how i might resolve?

I saw in another post that one customer fixed this by updating the data source field "Sheet" and "Header" to "1" (defaults to 0)  but mine is already on 1 for these fields. I did also try changing to "0" just for grins but result was the same.

another oddity:  in the data source Format dropdown there are TWO 'excel' options. The first option seems the most sensible as it causes the Sheet and Header row fields to display so they can be configured. The 2nd option does not display these fields and when i tried to use it for the test load it just errored with no error defined or displayed.  Anyone know what the extra "excel" option is for?

[Les1 · Accepted solution]

so

resolved by deleting the import set staging table connected to this data source record and letting it recreate.   apparently some erroneous columns from a previous data load attempt was causing the issue.

shout out to @khadija and her response to this post  for pointing me to this resolution.