MS Access 2021 not reading DSN Entries from 32 bit ODBC

Question

I have created a few DSN using the 32-bit ODBC app located in C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe Now I open a new MS Access 2021 file and intend to link database tables using the ODBC DSN. However, when I use the Menu Options New Data Source->ODBC Data Source- and the Windows opens, I don't see the DSN entries I created. I understand it means I am seeing the DSN entries for the C:\Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe which means that MS Access 2021 is opening the 64-bit ODBC window by default. How can I get MS Access 2021 to open the 32-bit ODBC window to choose the correct DSN?

Answer 1

Since you're working with a 64-bit version of MS Access, the simplest approach would be to recreate the DSNs using the 64-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator (C:\Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe). This will ensure that your DSNs are visible when MS Access opens the ODBC dialog.

If you must use the 32-bit ODBC DSNs, you'll need to use the 32-bit version of MS Access. You can install the 32-bit version of MS Access 2021 alongside the 64-bit version, but you cannot run them at the same time. To install the 32-bit version, you would need to uninstall the 64-bit version first and then install the 32-bit version, which will natively use the 32-bit ODBC manager.

As a workaround, if you prefer to keep using 64-bit MS Access, one workaround could be to:

• Create the linked tables in a 32-bit version of MS Access using the 32-bit DSNs.
• Save and close the 32-bit Access database.
• Open the same database in 64-bit Access. The linked tables should still work since the DSNs were already set up in the 32-bit version, though this approach might not always work depending on the drivers you're using.

Answer 2

I don't have the 32-bit version of MS Office 2021 since the 64-bit came pre-loaded with the laptop. I tried loading an older version of MS Office but it can't be installed since 64-bit MS Office is already installed. I plan to install a Virtual Machine with Windows 10 and MS Office 2016 within that and then link to the Oracle 10g tables. Is there any other alternate Database program like MS Access that I can use to link to the Oracle 10g tables so that I can view the data in the tables in GUI and make changes as needed?