Missing item in Access menu...

[davekearley]

Hi all, first post, looks like a great site.

I have a small problem with Access. I need to link to an ODBC table (SQL7) but when i go to the link dialogue, the ODBC entry is missing.

I have other linked tables in this DB and they all re-link ok so the system DSN is working fine.

Any ideas?

I have not linked a table for some time and cant remember how to get the ODBC option back.

I have tried repairing Office using the cD but had no effect.

Thanks in advance
Dave

[Stewart Ross]

Hi. The ODBC option should be at the very bottom of the list of file types shown when you select File, Get External Data, Link Tables. The default file type shown in the dialogue is Microsoft Access. Select the pull-down 'files of type' combo, scroll down past dbase, paradox etc and you should have ODBC at the bottom of the list.

If you can't see any options corresponding to SQL7, check what is shown on Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Data Sources (ODBC), to ensure you have the appropriate ODBC drivers installed. There should be a SQL server (if that is what SQL7 is) driver present already, though if you don't have a connection set up to your SQL server database you will need to do that as part of the New connection dialogue in ODBC before you can link your tables.

Welcome to Bytes!

-Stewart

[davekearley]

Thanks for that,

its not in the drop down menu and i have checked the ODBC control panel, the links are still there and test ok. They are in as System DSN's.

The Sql7 drivers are installed ok.

Its just the access menu.

If i go to Access, Linked Table Manager, Update Linked table, it can then find the missing ODBC stuff fine, so it does know about it, it just wont show in the link table drop down so i cant link a new table.

Dave

[Stewart Ross]

Hmm, tricky one Dave. Can't think of any immediate causes for this kind of error. A quick trawl of the MS knowledge base suggests a permissions issue preventing you from seeing SQL7 tables in the link dialogue (see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/270620/en-us) or a registry issue on the pc you are using (less likely).

The MS knowledge base otherwise does not show much that may help; an alternative way to link ODBC tables that does not involve the link table dialogue (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/210295/en-us, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/101375/en-us), some debugging and troubleshooting tips (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/102437/en-us).

Good luck in resolving this one.

Cheers

Stewart

[davekearley]

Thanks,
that worked well with the custom attach form link.

Still dont know why the drop down list is wrong though.

dave