I have 2 data flows in a package each one loading an excel file into SQL on a 64 bit server. Both data-flows run when called directly from SSIS package. Both have SQL Agent Jobs set up running under exactly the same creator and 'Run as' user and running as 32 bit . The files for both data flows are loaded from exactly the same location to the same DataBase.  However, one dataflow runs and the other fails with the error message

 Executed as user: NA\COBISSISSVC. Microsoft (R) SQL Server Execute Package Utility  Version 11.0.5058.0 for 32-bit  Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.    Started:  8:19:16 AM  Error: 2015-08-31 08:20:53.94     Code: 0xC0202009     Source: cm_bridge_x Connection manager "new_pah_decile"     Description: SSIS Error Code DTS_E_OLEDBERROR.  An OLE DB error has occurred. Error code: 0x80004005.  An OLE DB record is available.  Source: "Microsoft Office Access Database Engine"  Hresult: 0x80004005  Description: "External table is not in the expected format.".  End Error  Error: 2015-08-31 08:20:53.94     Code: 0xC020801C     Source: df_read_pah_deciles PAH deciles from GS file [172]     Description: SSIS Error Code DTS_E_CANNOTACQUIRECONNECTIONFROMCONNECTIONMANAGER.  The AcquireConnection method call to the connection manager "new_pah_decile" failed with error code 0xC0202009.  There may be error messages posted before this with more information on why the AcquireConnection method call failed.  End Error  Error: 2015-08-31 08:20:53.94     Code: 0xC0047017     Source: df_read_pah_deciles SSIS.Pipeline     Description: PAH deciles from GS file failed validation and returned error code 0xC020801C.  End Error  Error: 2015-08-31 08:20:53.94     Code: 0xC004700C     Source: df_read_pah_deciles SSIS.Pipeline     Description: One or more component failed validation.  End Error  Error: 2015-08-31 08:20:53.94     Code: 0xC0024107     Source: df_read_pah_deciles      Description: There were errors during task validation.  End Error  DTExec: The package execution returned DTSER_FAILURE (1).  Started:  8:19:16 AM  Finished: 8:20:53 AM  Elapsed:  97.392 seconds.  The package execution failed.  The step failed.

I have checked and the table structure and connection manager settings but there does not seem to be any issue while the SSIS package is open.

This makes me think that the bitness is the issue still, since the dev tools are all 32 bit, all runs. Not on the server.

I would ask you to double check the 32 bit mode setting of the job.

Hi SSISNinja,

Based on my research, the issue always be caused by it was open or it was used by other process and connection string was failing to access the excel sheet, so it throwing the error.

To avoid this issue, please make sure that the file is not open or used by any other process while trying to read with excel file.

The following similar thread is for your reference:
http://www.codeproject.com/Questions/537510/Externalplustableplusisplusnotplusinplustheplusexp

Thanks,
Katherine Xiong