SQL*XL: Excel database connection through ODBC: ODBC Data Source Administrator

This SQL*XL help page describes how the ODBC Data Source Administrator program in Windows can be used to connect from MS Excel to your database. For SQL*XL - or any other program - to connect to your database with the ODBC driver it needs a so called DSN: Data Source Name. A DSN can be seen as a nickname for your database.

The process of setting up a connection to your database is explained in detail below. It contains step by step instructions for the more common database types.

SQL*XL:
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ODBC Data Source Administrator

Purpose:
Define a DSN (data source name) for a database on your computer. A DSN is nothing more than an alias for your database. This DSN can be used in SQL*XL to connect to your database.

Usage:
Start the ODBC Data Source Administrator from the control panel (Start|Settings|Control Panel). On the control panel you will see an item for ODBC Data Sources. Note that the link may be in a subgroup called "Administrative Tools".

You can create a DSN in 3 ways none of which has a preference above the others. DSNs created in any of these 3 ways will work fine with SQL*XL:

User DSN:
These data sources are local to a computer and accessible only by the current user.
System DSN:
These data sources are local to a computer but not user-dedicated; any user with privileges can access a system DSN.
File DSN:
These data sources can be shared among all users who have the same drivers installed. These data sources need not be user-dedicated or local to a computer.

What follows is a description of each of these 3 ways to create a Data Source Name (DSN).

User DSN:

Click the Add button on the "User DSN" tab in the "ODBC Data Source Administrator" window (see above) to add a new user data source. You will be taken to the "Create New Data Source" window.

In the "Create New Data Source" window, choose the driver for which you a re adding a user data source and click Finish; a driver-specific setup dialog box will appear.

Click here to find out more about the "Create New Data Source" window

System DSN:

Click the Add button on the "System DSN" tab in the "ODBC Data Source Administrator" window (see above) to add a new system data source. You will be taken to the "Create New Data Source" window.

In the "Create New Data Source" window, choose the driver for which you a re adding a system data source and click Finish; a driver-specific setup dialog box will appear.

Click here to find out more about the "Create New Data Source" window

File DSN:

Click the Add button on the "File DSN" tab in the "ODBC Data Source Administrator" window (see above) to add a new File data source. You will be taken to the "Create New Data Source" window.

In the "Create New Data Source" window, choose the driver for which you are creating file data source for and click Next to specify the name or location of the new file data source. Click Next again to view a summary of the new data source information. Click Finish to display the driver-specific setup dialog box.

Click here to find out more about the "Create New Data Source" window