How to import excel spreadsheet with date column blank into table with date datatype?

[ncsthbell]

I am on release MS Access 2002. I need to be able to import a spreadsheet of data into a existing table in an access database. I am doing this by using the DoCmd.TransferSpreadsheet command.

The input spreadsheet data includes a date column (invoice date) which may or may not be populated. This column is formatted as a 'text' data type in the excel spreadsheet.

The database table that I have to load the data into (using vba code with an 'insert' statement) has the same columns as the spreadsheet but the 'invoice date' column on the table is defined as a date date type.

I understand because they are 2 different data types is why I am getting an error when I try to insert the invoice date from the spreadsheet (text format) into the invoice date on the access table (date format). However, the invoice date on the access table can not have the data type modified and will not always be populated in the spreadsheet or on the table.

There has got to be away to get around inserting a 'blank' date field.... I'm just not saavy enough with access to accomplish it! I have spent all afternoon trying different things to no avail. Any help would be appreciated.