# Microsoft Excel Input You can use the Microsoft Excel Input step to read data from Microsoft Excel. The following sections describe each of the available features for configuring this step. The default spreadsheet type is set to Excel 97-2003 XLS. When you are reading other file types, such as OpenOffice ODS or Excel 2007, and using special functions like protected worksheets, you need to change the **Spread sheet type (engine)** option in the **Files** tab. If you are using password protected worksheets, you must set **Spread sheet type (engine)** to Excel 2007 XLSX (Apache POI). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.pentaho.com/pdia-data-integration/10.2-data-integration/pdi-transformation-steps-reference-overview/microsoft-excel-input.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.