Linking SQL Express 2005 Tables to MS Access 2007 - Creating an ODBC Data Source
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On a machine with Windows OS it is easy to create an ODBC Data Source -- a go between for your application and the data on your server. From Start-->Control Panel on your machine you get access to the Administrative Tools icon. Double clicking this icon will open up a new window where you can see the Data Sources (ODBC) icon. Double clicking the icon should bring up the next window shown below. This is your gateway to get connected with any of the database servers/programs that provide an ODBC connection option.
Here a System DSN will be created which all the users on this machine can use to access the data. Click on the Add... button to open the Create New Data Source wizard's window as shown. Here a SQL Server driver was chosen although a SQL Native Client would also do well.
When you click on the Finish button you will get to the next step of creating a Data Source for a SQL Server.
You will give a name to the data source, which is called AccWindy here. The description is just a note that Windy is really the Northwind database. The drop-down that follows should reveal all the available servers both local and networked. Here the Hodentek2SQL Express server is chosen; Hodentek2 is the machine name.
Clicking on the Next button in the above window opens the window where you are required to fill in the authentication information. Here a SQL Server authentication is used for which a username and password are required.
Clicking on the Next button in the above window takes you to a step where you can set the default database, which is usually the master database. You can use the drop-down to choose the database. You can also set the ANSI related parameters. Here the defaults are accepted.
Clicking on the Next button then guides you through several other options related to the language for system messages; encryption; character data translation; and so forth. Defaults are accepted for this tutorial.
This bring us to the final window of the ODBC data source creation step. When you click on the Finish button you will get to the screen where the information you provided and the choices you made in the configuration of the data source are summarized. You may also test the success or failure of this DSN by using the Test Data Source... button.
When you click OK after you verify it is successful, you will get back to the first screen of the ODBC Data Source Administrator displaying the source you created. This DSN can now be used in any application which asks you to furnish a connection information and can be a part of the ConnectionString.
Next: Creating an Access Database >>
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