SQL Server Excel Import - The 'Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0' provider is not registered on the local machine.

Question

I'm trying to do a simple Excel import into a local SQL Server instance installed on my machine (to do some analysis), I'm attempting to use the wizard through SSMS. This worked a few days ago and I imported a couple of thousand tabs into tables in SQL using the same method. Now when I try to import I get this error:

The 'Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0' provider is not registered on the local machine. (System.Data)

Looking at other similar questions I've installed the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=13255

Also the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=54920

And finally the Microsoft 365 Access Runtime

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-and-install-microsoft-365-access-runtime-185c5a32-8ba9-491e-ac76-91cbe3ea09c9?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us

execute master.dbo.xp_enum_oledb_providers returns these rows:

Provider Name Parse Name Provider Description
Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 {3BE786A0-0366-4F5C-9434-25CF162E475E} Microsoft Office 12.0 Access Database Engine OLE DB Provider
Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.16.0 {3BE786A2-0366-4F5C-9434-25CF162E475E} Microsoft Office 16.0 Access Database Engine OLE DB Provider

Yet still the same message.

What else can I try?

Answer 1

Hi @Alex Fletcher ,

Very possible that it is 32-bit vs. 64-bit issue.
Microsoft ACE Provider has both.
So you can try both options.

There is another way to launch the wizard.
Not inside the SSMS, but via the OS menu.
Here is how to do it:

• Click Windows OS Start button.
• Navigate to Microsoft SQL Server 2017 (or whatever version you have)
• Select SQL Server 2017 Export and Inport Data (32-bit)
  Or SQL Server 2017 Export and Inport Data (64-bit)

Answer 2

Any updates on this? I now have the same issue occuring on my system. It occurs whether I am trying to import to a database using my local machine's SSMS, invoking it through the start menu, etc. Tried remoting to machines where the actual database lives and launching Import Export wizard, and I get the same issue. What did Microsoft send that made this stop working across the board???

Answer 3

The solution to this is in post:

https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/3d9ad79d-b154-4218-ae0b-d5bd6747ee56/sql-server-import-and-export-wizard-the-microsoftaceoledb120-provider-is-not-registered-on?forum=sqltools

Answer 4

Hi @Alex Fletcher ,

It is a 32-bit vs 64-bit issue.

You may try to install the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB Provider for Both 64-bit and 32-bit.

Here is a blog you may take a reference.

Regards，

Zoe

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Answer 5

I have the exact same issue and the set up by that @Alex Fletcher shows. I tried to install the 32 version but could not

I still get the error that the Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB Provider is not registered when trying to import an excelfile. But it shows up when checking for it is there.

Any ideas?