When using SAS/ACCESS to read Excel data, which statement is mandatory?

The use of the LIBNAME statement when working with SAS/ACCESS to read Excel data is essential because it establishes a connection between SAS and the Excel file. The LIBNAME statement directs SAS to treat the specified Excel file as a library, allowing users to access the sheets within the Excel file as if they were datasets in a SAS library. This connection is crucial for enabling SAS to read the structure and data contained in the Excel file effectively.

In contrast, the other options are not required in this context. The FILENAME statement is often used to define file references but is not mandatory when directly accessing Excel files through the LIBNAME method. The INPUT statement is typically part of the DATA step for reading data from external files but is not applicable for reading structured data from Excel. The INFILE statement is used to read raw data files in SAS and does not pertain to accessing Excel spreadsheets. Hence, the LIBNAME statement is the correct and necessary component for reading Excel data with SAS/ACCESS.