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ODBC connections and creating Data Sources

ODBC stands for "Open Data Base Connectivity". This is a standardized way for any application to make a connection to any database, regardless of the vendors of the software. At MSU, it usually refers to a connection made from a tool like Microsoft's Access to a SQL database.

MS Access database can connect to one or more databases. At MSU, these databases can reside on any of several servers. In addition, the user could define tables within their local Access database. This all means that Access can get data from a variety of sources, and make it all seamlessly available to the user. This page contains information about the databases that are available. Of course, access to the data itself is restricted to those who are authorized to see and use the information. See the page on security and requesting access for more information.

The connection to each external database is accomplished by using a Data Source. This is a collection of information about where the data resides, what database to access on that server, etc. You must set up a Data Source to connect to a database. A separate Data Source is needed for each combination of database and server that you want to access. Once set up, it can be reused to connect to the data from multiple MS Access databases.

If you have a Data Source created already, and you have problems connecting to the data, you should try to refresh the connection first. The instructions to do so are located here.

Instructions to set up a connection using MS Access 2007 are available here.

Instructions for users with a previous version of Access are here.

If you are not using Access, you can still set up a connection from the Windows Start menu, using Instructions found here.

If none of these apply to you, contact AIS Help and Support at 353-4420 ext 311 or at ais311@ais.msu.edu .

If you have questions about the meaning or proper usage of the data available in a particular reporting database, please contact the Enterprise Information Stewardship Office at 353-4856 or via their website at Enterprise Information Stewardship Office.

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