XL97: Using System, User, and File Data Sources

ID: Q159557

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

Microsoft Office 97 contains Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) drivers that you can use to access data from other programs. This article describes the different types of data source names (DSN) that you can install and use in Microsoft Office 97 programs, specifically in Microsoft Excel 97.

MORE INFORMATION

When you install Microsoft Office, an ODBC icon, which represents the ODBC Manager, is installed in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. The ODBC Manager allows you to set up and configure ODBC data sources. In the ODBC Manager, you can set up and configure the following three types of DSNs: 

   User DSN
   System DSN
   File DSN

User DSN

The User DSN is a data source that is user specific. A User DSN is stored locally but is available only to the user who creates it. User DSNs are not used by Microsoft Query 97. If you use Microsoft Jet, ODBC, or Structured Query Language (SQL) commands and bypass Microsoft Query, User DSNs are required. User DSNs are stored in the Windows registry under the following key: 

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Odbc\Odbc.ini\Odbc Data sources

System DSN

Unlike a User DSN, a System DSN is not user specific. A System DSN is stored locally and is not dedicated to a particular user. Any user who logs on to a computer that has permission to access the data source can use a System DSN. Some programs, such as Microsoft SQL Server or Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS), require a System DSN. This DSN must be created on the server where the program is located. System DSNs are stored in the Windows registry under the following key: 

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Odbc\Odbc.ini\Odbc Data sources

File DSN

The File DSN is created locally and may be shared with other users. The File DSN is file based, which means that the .dsn file contains all the information required to connect to the data source. Note that you must install the ODBC driver locally to use a File DSN. Microsoft Query uses File DSNs but Microsoft Jet and ODBC do not use File DSNs.

The File DSNs are stored by default in the Program Files\Common Files\Odbc\Data Sources folder. File DSNs are not stored in the Windows registry. The .dsn file is a text file that you can view in any text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad.

NOTE: When you connect to an existing data source using Microsoft Query, only the available File DSNs that are stored on that computer are displayed. Microsoft Query does not display User or System DSNs. However, you can create a File DSN that points to a System DSN.

To create a File DSN that points to a System DSN, use the following steps:

1. In a text editor, such a Notepad, type the following two lines in a new 

   document

      [ODBC]
      DSN=<MySysDSN>

   where <MySysDSN> is the name of an existing System DSN that you
   installed in the ODBC icon in the Control Panel.
2. Click Save on the File menu and type a name that includes a .dsn file 
   name extension for the File DSN; for example, "DBase4.dsn" is a valid
   name. Include the quotation marks to ensure that the .dsn file name
   extension is added correctly.
You can also share a File DSN with other users. To do this, share the folder in which the .dsn file is stored using the following steps:

1. Under Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, right-click 

   the Start menu and click Explore.
2. Open the folder that contains the .dsn files. By default, this is the 
   Program Files\Common Files\Odbc\Data Sources folder.
3. Right-click the folder and click Sharing. On the Sharing tab, click 
   Shared As and type the name to use for the folder in the Share Name
   box. Click OK.
Note: Each user must install the appropriate ODBC driver (the driver that the File DSN refers to) on the computer in order for the File DSN to function properly.

Sample Macro to Return External Data to Microsoft Excel

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web: 

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/
The following Microsoft Excel Visual Basic for Applications macro can use an existing User or System DSN to retrieve data from a database and store the data in a worksheet. The sample DSN that is used in this macro is MyDSN. It references the Microsoft Access 97 sample database Northwind.mdb in the Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Samples folder. You can use MyDSN as a User or System DSN but you cannot use it as a File DSN. 

   Sub Get_Data()

       'Define SQL query string to get the CategoryName field from
       'the Category table.
       sqlstring = "SELECT CategoryName FROM Categories"

       'Define connection string and reference File DSN.
       connstring = "ODBC;DSN=MyDSN"

       'Create QueryTable in worksheet beginning with cell C1.
       With ActiveSheet.QueryTables.Add(Connection:=connstring, _
           Destination:=Range("C1"), Sql:=sqlstring)
           .Refresh
       End With

   End Sub

REFERENCES

For more information about retrieving data, click the Office Assistant, type "data sources", click Search, and then click to view "Ways to retrieve data from an external database."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Excel Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q120802
   TITLE     : Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or
               Component
Additional query words: 8.0 
Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode xlquery KbVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: May 18, 1999