Setting up an ODBC data source

The Database Wizard must connect to your database through ODBC to obtain information about the database’s tables and fields. Therefore, you must register your database as an ODBC data source.

To register an ODBC data source
  1. On the Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Do one of the following, depending on your operating system:
    • in Windows 95/98/Me/NT 4: Double-click ODBC Data Sources.
    • in Windows 2000/XP: Double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Data Sources (ODBC).
  3. Click either the User DSN tab or the System DSN tab, and then click Add.
  4. Select the appropriate driver for your database type. For example, if you are using an Microsoft Access database, select Microsoft Access Driver. Then, click Finish.
  5. Enter a name for the new data source.
  6. Complete the remaining steps, which vary depending on the selected driver.

When you have finished creating the data source, its name should appear in the User Data Sources (or System Data Sources) list, along with the selected driver. Click OK to close the dialog box.

Related topics

Supported document standards and database connections

Requirements for using the Database Wizard

Setting up an ODBC data source