Xlsread with openoffice problem

I use the next code to read an array from file:

a=xlsread(data.xls)

It works out pretty well at my home computer. But at my workstation the next error reveals:

What's wrong with the openoffice? Is there any other way to fix this problem, except installing Excel?

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

xlsread() never invokes OpenOffice

If you are using one of the newer MATLAB (R2014a, perhaps even a bit earlier) then the 'basic' mode is enough to be able to read .xls files, if I recall correctly.