There are several ways to open Microsoft Excel workbook (.xls) as a database:

1. Opening through ODBC DSN (interface: ADO or BDE). Select ODBC data source option and then select the ODBC DSN from the drop-down list. But first, you should create an ODBC DSN of the corresponding type using Windows administrative tools, and point it to the database file.

2. Opening by specifying file name (interface: ADO). Select File option and then browse for the needed file.

3. Opening through connection string (interface: ADO). Select Connection string option and write a connection string. This way is the most flexible one because it is possible to specify many additional parameters in the connection string, but it is recommended basically for advanced users. Here are basic connection strings (more examples and details can be found in the Internet):

Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;excel 8.0;DATABASE=C:\MyData\MyExcelData.xls;

Provider=MSDASQL.1;Extended Properties="DBQ=C:\MyData\MyExcelFile.xls;DefaultDir=C:\MyData;Driver={Microsoft Excel Driver (*.xls)};DriverId=790;"

Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=c:\MyData\MyExcelFile.xls;Extended Properties="Excel 8.0;HDR=YES";   (Microsoft ACE must be installed)

This database type is supported only in Exportizer Pro and Exportizer Enterprise.
Sometimes, after opening Excel workbooks, you may see no tables in the file. If you are sure the file has data, try to open it by it's native application, assign name(s) to needed cell range(s), save, and then try to open it in Exportizer again. If the result is unsuccessful, try to open the file by direct specifying connection string with different parameters: for example, change ODBC-based string to Jet-based one (the differences are shown in examples of connection strings).

See also

Connection Strings Examples

Opening Microsoft Excel 2007+ Workbooks (.xlsx, .xlsb, .xlsm)