Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix ODBC Driver Manager Error in Excel for Mac

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user encounters an ODBC Driver Manager error when attempting to create a PivotTable from an external SQL Server data source.

How to Fix ODBC Driver Manager Error in Excel for Mac

Product: Excel for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Creating a PivotTable connected to an external SQL Server database.
Observed behavior: Excel displays an error stating the ODBC Driver Manager is not installed, and manually installing Microsoft ODBC Driver 18 does not resolve the connection failure.

Before you start

Ensure your Excel for Mac is updated to the latest version, as current releases include a built-in SQL Server connector that bypasses the need for manual driver installations.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Built-in Power Query to Connect to SQL Server

Use the native Get Data feature in Excel for Mac, which includes a built-in SQL Server driver, completely bypassing external ODBC driver errors.

Modern versions of Excel for Mac include a built-in SQL Server connection method. You do not need to install the Microsoft ODBC Driver 18 manually, nor do you need to configure a Data Source Name (DSN) or system environment variables.

Attempting to run Excel as an administrator or adding the driver as an Excel add-in will not resolve the ODBC Driver Manager error.

Update Excel for Mac

Ensure you are running the latest version of Excel for Mac to have the most up-to-date built-in Power Query features.

Access the Data Tab

Open your workbook and navigate to the Data tab on the top ribbon.

Select Get Data

Click on the Get Data (or Power Query) button, often represented by a small icon at the right edge of the Data ribbon.

Connect to SQL Server

Choose the SQL Server database option, enter your server credentials, and import your data directly to create your PivotTable.

No Separate Driver Required: Using this native method completely avoids the ODBC Driver Manager error as it relies entirely on Excel's internal architecture.

Solution 2

Utilize Supported Third-Party ODBC Drivers

If your workflow absolutely requires a specific external DSN setup for unsupported databases, use certified Mac alternatives.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience a Seamless and Lightweight Spreadsheet Alternative

If complex external data connections and persistent driver conflicts in Microsoft Excel are slowing down your workflow, consider WPS Office. It provides robust spreadsheet functionalities, high compatibility with Microsoft formats, and a clean interface for your data analysis without the heavy resource demands.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the lightweight installer for Mac.
2. Install and Open: Run the installation and open the WPS Spreadsheets application.
3. Import Your Data: Open your existing .xlsx files directly to continue analyzing your data seamlessly.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formatsLightweight application that runs smoothly on Mac and other systemsFree to use with comprehensive data analysis and pivot featuresFamiliar user interface requires no steep learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to configure a DSN for Excel for Mac to connect to SQL Server?

No, for SQL Server connections, current versions of Excel for Mac have a built-in driver that does not require a Data Source Name (DSN) setup.

Why didn't installing Microsoft ODBC Driver 18 fix my pivot table issue?

Excel for Mac does not inherently integrate with external standalone Microsoft ODBC driver installations. Using the built-in Power Query tool found in the Data tab is the correct approach to connect to SQL Server.

Are third-party drivers like OpenLink or Actual Technologies necessary?

They are not required for standard SQL Server connections. However, they act as viable alternatives if you need to connect to other database types that are not natively supported by Excel for Mac's built-in tools.

Office App Problems