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

1. Opening through ODBC DSN (interface: ADO or BDE) (Exportizer Pro and Exportizer Enterprise only). 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) (Exportizer Pro and Exportizer Enterprise only). 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)

Sometimes, an Excel driver does not see any tables in the file. If you are sure the file has data, try the following:
  • Open the file in Excel or another application which can work with Excel workbooks like Libre Office Calc etc.
  • Select needed cell range.
  • Assign a name to the selected cell range (this will be a table name).
  • Repeat this to all cell ranges you need to see as tables.
  • Save the file.
  • Try to open it in Exportizer again. If the result is unsuccessful, try to open the file by specifying different connection strings.

See also

Connection Strings Examples

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