title: Parsing an Excel file in C#, the cells seem to get cut off at 255 characters... how do I stop that?
body: <p>I am parsing through an uploaded excel files (xlsx) in asp.net with c#. I am using the following code (simplified):</p>
  
  <pre><code>string connString = string.Format("Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=" + fileLocation + ";Extended Properties=\"Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=YES\";");
  OleDbDataAdapter adapter = new OleDbDataAdapter("SELECT * FROM [Sheet1$]", connString);
  DataSet ds = new DataSet();
  adapter.Fill(ds);
  adapter.Dispose();
  DataTable dt = ds.Tables[0];
  var rows = from p in dt.AsEnumerable() select new { desc = p[2] };
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>This works perfectly, <em>but</em> if there is anything longer than 255 characters in the cell, it will get cut off.  Any idea what I am doing wrong?  Thank you.</p>
  
  <p>EDIT: When viewing the excel sheet, it shows much more than 255 characters, so I don't believe the sheet itself is limited.</p>