How to Install 64-Bit ODBC Drivers for Excel VBA | Fix Missing Drivers
Question details
Users encounter failures in Excel VBA workbooks because essential 64-bit ODBC drivers, such as Microsoft Access, are missing from the system.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Running Excel VBA macros that require database connections via ODBC.
- Observed behavior
- VBA code execution fails, and the required drivers (like Access or Excel drivers) do not appear in the ODBC Data Source Administrator.
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your Windows PC and confirm whether your installed version of Excel is 64-bit to match the required driver architecture.
Install the 64-Bit Microsoft Access Database Engine Redistributable
If drivers like Microsoft Access are missing from your ODBC Administrator list, you must download and install the official redistributable package first.
By default, Windows may only list the SQL Server driver in the ODBC Data Sources menu. To enable database connections for Office files via VBA, the specific Access Database Engine must be manually installed.
Navigate to the official Microsoft download page for the Microsoft Access Database Engine Redistributable.
Choose the 64-bit version of the installer (typically named AccessDatabaseEngine_X64.exe) and download it to your local drive.
Double-click the downloaded file to run the installer with administrator rights, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup.
Restart your computer to ensure the new ODBC drivers are properly registered in the Windows registry.
Configure the ODBC Driver in Data Source Administrator
Once the driver is installed, you must add and configure the data source in Windows so your VBA scripts can access it.
Experience Seamless VBA Compatibility with WPS Office
If you frequently work with macros, data queries, and complex spreadsheets, WPS Office offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Excel. It handles VBA efficiently and lets you execute existing macros or database scripts without expensive subscriptions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free version of WPS Office on your PC.
- 2. Open Your Macro File: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing .xlsm or .xlsb files containing the VBA code.
- 3. Enable and Run VBA: Click 'Enable Macros' in the security warning prompt to successfully run your database connection scripts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the ODBC Data Source Administrator only show SQL Server?
This occurs because third-party ODBC drivers are not pre-installed on modern Windows systems by default. For Office-related drivers, you must manually download and install the Microsoft Access Database Engine Redistributable.
How do I know if I need the 32-bit or 64-bit ODBC driver?
The driver architecture must exactly match the bit-version of the application running the VBA code. If you are using a 64-bit version of Excel or WPS Office, you must install the 64-bit ODBC drivers.
Can I use ODBC database connections in WPS Office Spreadsheets?
Yes, WPS Office Spreadsheets fully supports VBA and can utilize system-level ODBC Data Sources to connect to external databases, provided the correct drivers are installed on your Windows PC.
