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

Alex Fletcher 46

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?

Janya Lee Erwin 246 Reputation points

2022-02-21T21:57:13.397+00:00

Essentially the SQL Import Wizard requires MDAC. Here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=13255 . Note that you need the plain 32 bit one AccessDatabaseEngine.exe, The x64 one is useless because the Wizard is still 32 bit.
Ayo Howells 10 Reputation points

2023-02-24T21:55:13.93+00:00

Thanks @Janya Lee Erwin I have been on this for over 24hrs. You are a life saver. Cheers
Luis Uvalle 0 Reputation points

2023-03-08T18:37:37.53+00:00

@Janya Lee Erwin, thanks a lot. It solved my problem. :)
Lesley Bargamento 0 Reputation points

2023-03-14T01:25:56.9866667+00:00

@Janya Lee Erwin super thanks! Such a great help!
Rich Brolly 0 Reputation points

2023-03-14T11:27:10.4633333+00:00

@Janya Lee Erwin THANK YOU!! A year+ later and this is still valuable.
Ismail Habib 0 Reputation points

2023-03-24T21:33:09.7333333+00:00

I spent a whole day trying to fix this, tried so many solutions, ended up messing up my entire setting and I was about to give up.

Wish I saw this earlier. You're such a hero my brother!
Castro, Eduardo (SPL-IPG) 0 Reputation points

2023-04-06T19:02:22.59+00:00

Thank you, after a few tries with the x64 version, I finally found this Q&A and it worked!
Subhrajit Ghosh 0 Reputation points

2023-04-06T20:53:39.2866667+00:00

Thank you.
Bipin Singh 0 Reputation points

2023-05-01T06:21:35.88+00:00

Thank to Janya Lee Erwin and community
Ashok kumar 0 Reputation points

2023-06-21T07:23:52.1666667+00:00

Thanks @Janya Lee Erwin , you saved lot of googling time for the fix.
Faith Ugwu 0 Reputation points

2023-07-01T14:57:07.3966667+00:00

Thank you @Janya Lee Erwin super helpful
Crystal XCLUSIVE 5 Reputation points

2023-07-06T21:41:35.7266667+00:00

This worked perfectly, I used 48hours to search for an answer. wish i found this earlier
Amanda Oudemans 0 Reputation points

2023-07-07T15:12:20.5366667+00:00

@Janya Lee Erwin Thank you so much from me as well! This just saved me after several hours of doing all the original fixes in the OP.
Azaria Anderson 0 Reputation points

2023-07-08T19:21:38.18+00:00

@Janya Lee Erwin Thank you so much!
Mareez 0 Reputation points

2023-08-06T15:47:13.79+00:00

Many thanks. Solved my problem immediately!
Temitope Olu-Alabi 0 Reputation points

2023-09-06T23:27:43.6966667+00:00

@Janya Lee Erwin Thank you so much. It worked
Princess Adebambo 0 Reputation points

2023-10-01T03:24:14.7333333+00:00

Thank you @Janya Lee Erwin This worked for me as well. After getting discouraged to proceed with my project for over 2 weeks.

From now on, I am approaching errors with a different mindset.

Bless you!!
Ranjan Nishantha 0 Reputation points

2023-10-04T06:58:22.4066667+00:00

@Janya Lee Erwin THANK YOU!
Sadanand Walke 0 Reputation points

2023-11-12T03:42:46.7433333+00:00

@Janya Lee Erwin Thank you so much. I want to do my first portfolio project & you saved from from this pain!!!
بهاء محمد فتحي داغر 0 Reputation points

2023-12-15T22:59:21.1733333+00:00

THANKS A LOT
KH 0 Reputation points

2024-02-07T15:49:22.4233333+00:00

Awesome! I had the 64 Bit version installed and was struggling to get this fixed. Once I uninstalled the 64-bit version and install the 32-bit version, it worked perfectly. Thank you.
Bill Richardson 0 Reputation points

2024-06-25T16:21:17.38+00:00

I tried using the link provided but received an error "We're sorry, this download is no longer available.". Any ideas? Thanks.

6 answers

Yitzhak Khabinsky 25,721 Reputation points

2021-11-19T16:41:40.143+00:00
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)
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3 people found this answer helpful.
Ren 21 Reputation points

2021-12-17T00:49:48.667+00:00

Hi there,
I cannot see Select SQL Server 2017 Export and Import Data (32-bit)
Or SQL Server 2017 Export and Import Data (64-bit)

Do I need to install something else first. Please advise.

Waseem Ahmed وسيم احمد 1 Reputation point

2022-09-19T06:17:06.35+00:00

Thanks a ton,
it did work..., May Allah ease your way and increase your knowledge.

Renchie Gonzales 0 Reputation points

2023-04-27T02:44:56.08+00:00

Thank you very much, this actually works on my end. I already installed Access Database Engine 2010, 2016, and 2014 and it still doesn't work, So thankful I've found your comment!

Florin Savin 0 Reputation points

2023-05-22T20:27:34.3833333+00:00

It is the single good answer for this issue. But very strange, If try to import from SSMS, is not working, but using import from MS SQL Start Menu, works fine.
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Jose Miguel Sanchez 6 Reputation points

2022-06-02T07:07:50.683+00:00

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
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1 person found this answer helpful.

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ZoeHui-MSFT 34,756 Reputation points

2021-11-22T01:30:40.4+00:00

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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ZoeHui-MSFT 34,756 Reputation points

2021-11-25T01:04:45.79+00:00

Hi @Alex Fletcher ,
Do you have further question on this , could we offer more support?
If this helps on your issue, you could mark it as answer so other user with similar problem could see this easier. :)
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Patrik Lager 1 Reputation point

2022-01-28T09:38:39.523+00:00

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?
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Holly Osburn 31 Reputation points

2022-02-16T05:05:03.347+00:00

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???
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Olaf Helper 42,746 Reputation points

2022-02-16T07:48:14.217+00:00

What did Microsoft send that made this stop working across the board???

Nothing stopped working; it works for me and for a lot of other. You must be doing something wrong. As already stated in this thread, you must use ACE & Wizard in the same bitness, both 32 or both 64 bit.

Janya Lee Erwin 246 Reputation points

2022-02-21T21:57:38.303+00:00

Essentially the SQL Import Wizard requires MDAC. Here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=13255 . Note that you need the plain 32 bit one AccessDatabaseEngine.exe, The x64 one is useless because the Wizard is still 32 bit.

Rinor Recica 5 Reputation points

2024-04-02T13:16:31.7466667+00:00

but we can't download it, because of this Error Message...
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