Creating a DSN

To connect to your MSAccess database you have to configure your ODBC utility to recognize your database as a valid DSN (Data Source Name).

Instructions:

Open the ODBC Setup Utility
  1. Open the ODBC Setup utility by clicking on the ODBC 32 icon in the Windows Control Panel.  (Some windows systems will have an ODBC as well as ODBC 32 icon.  Choose ODBC 32.  For Windows 2000, the ODBC setup utility is in the Administrative Tools utility in the Control Panel.)
  2. Clicking on the ODBC icon will open the ODBC setup utility, called the ODBC Data Source Administrator.
Create the New Access DSN
  1. Click on the tab labeled "System DSN".
  2. Click on the button labeled "Add".
The Create New Data Source dialog box will open.
  1. Select the "Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)".
  2. Click on the button labeled "Finish".
The ODBC Microsoft Access dialog box will open.
  1. Enter the desired DSN name in the Data Source Name field.
  2. Browse to your Access Database by using the "Select..." button.
  3. The options tab will allow you to set more advanced communications options.
  4. If your database uses security, then click on the button labeled "Advanced".
When finished, the new DSN should appear in the list box under the tab labeled System DSN.  If you need to make any configuration changes to your new DSN, just click on the
button labeled "Configure". You will be allowed to edit all settings.

IMPORTANT:  The name of the database is the DSN name you entered in the Data Source Name field.  Remember this or write it down (case sensitive).