Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 missing with excel upgrade

Question

I recently upgraded to Office 2019 from Office 2007. Previously, with Excel 2007, the connection string worked perfectly.

"Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=" & strExcelPath & ";Extended Properties=""Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=Yes;"";"

But, now with excel upgrade to 2019, this connection failed. and when I checked the registry editor, Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 is not there. Only Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.16.0 is present.

1. I want to know how the excel upgrade is affecting the OLEDB.
2. I can't change the connection string in all the code. So, I need a way to make sure the OLEDB.12.0 is not affected by Excel upgrade.

Can someone please provide me clarity on my doubts. Thank you

Answer 1

Hi @pri07 ,

You can install Microsoft ACE OLEDB provider v.12.0 by yourself
It can coexist with v.16.0 on the same machine

Here is its download link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=13255

Here is a screen shot that shows how they are both installed on my machine.

Answer 2

I want to know how the excel upgrade is affecting the OLEDB.

Because a version upgrade isn't only a "facelift", it brings new features and how could an older data provider know the new features? It can't.

I can't change the connection string in all the code.

Why can't you? Normally apps have the connection string as global setting in the config file, so one place to change.
If you haven't used config, then "Search & Replace".

And why haven't you tested the update with your app(s) before?