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How to Fix Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.16.0 Provider Not Registered Error for Excel
Question details
The user is trying to import an Excel workbook into Azure SQL Database but is blocked by a missing or unregistered Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.16.0 provider driver error.
- Product
- Microsoft SQL Server Import and Export Wizard
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Importing an Excel workbook file into an Azure SQL Database using the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard.
- Observed behavior
- The application returns a 'Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.16.0 provider is not registered' error, preventing the import process from completing, even if the drivers have been recently installed.
Verify the architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of the application you are using to initiate the import, such as SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), because the driver bitness must exactly match the application.
Install the 32-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine Redistributable
Use this method if you are launching the wizard from a 32-bit application like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), which requires a 32-bit OLE DB driver.
The SQL Server Import and Export Wizard often runs in 32-bit mode when launched from SSMS. If you have the 64-bit driver installed, the 32-bit wizard will not recognize it, causing the registration error.
Open the Windows Control Panel, navigate to 'Programs and Features', and uninstall the 64-bit version of the Microsoft Access Database Engine if it is currently installed.
Visit the official Microsoft Download Center, search for the 'Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable', and download the 32-bit version (usually named AccessDatabaseEngine.exe).
Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation of the 32-bit OLE DB provider.
Close and reopen SQL Server Management Studio, then launch the Import and Export Wizard again to proceed with your Excel import.
Run the 64-bit Import and Export Wizard Directly
If you already have the 64-bit driver installed and need to keep it for other applications, you can bypass the 32-bit SSMS interface.
Manage Spreadsheet Data Hassle-Free with WPS Office
If you frequently struggle with complex Excel driver architectures, database integration errors, or heavy software requirements, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative. You can easily view, edit, and export your spreadsheet data to database-friendly formats like CSV without dealing with OLE DB provider registrations.
- 1. Open your workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the Excel file you wish to import into your database.
- 2. Save as CSV: Click 'Menu' > 'Save As', and choose 'CSV (Comma delimited)' as the file format.
- 3. Import the flat file: Use the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard's 'Flat File Source' option to import the CSV data, avoiding OLE DB driver issues altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.16.0 provider error occur even after installing drivers?
This error occurs because of an architecture mismatch. If you launch an import task from a 32-bit application like SQL Server Management Studio, it requires a 32-bit driver. If you installed the 64-bit driver, the application will not be able to locate or register it.
Can I have both 32-bit and 64-bit Access Database Engine drivers installed simultaneously?
By default, Microsoft does not support installing both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the Access Database Engine side-by-side. It is recommended to choose the architecture that matches the primary application you use for importing data.
Is there a way to bypass the OLE DB provider requirement when importing Excel data?
Yes. You can bypass the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB provider entirely by opening your Excel workbook in a spreadsheet application, saving the file as a CSV (Comma Separated Values) format, and then selecting 'Flat File Source' instead of 'Excel' in the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard.
