You are here: Setup Guide > Set Up Data Sources > Connect to Microsoft Excel > Connect to Microsoft Excel Through OLE-DB

Connect to Microsoft Excel Through OLE-DB

This topic describes how to create a OLE-DB data source to connect to a Microsoft Excel XLS file for use with Endicia Professional. If your Excel data source is in XLSX format, save a copy of that data source in XLS format.

Important! There are different methods of connecting to Microsoft Excel data, such as through Dynamic Excel Integration. Be sure that you use the appropriate method. For more information, see See "About Connecting to Microsoft Excel".

If you are using OLE-DB with Microsoft Excel data files on a network drive, you must map the network drive such that it has a drive letter designation. For more information about how to map network drives, see the Microsoft Windows Help. Search for map network drive.

The first time you run Endicia Professional, the Database Connections Setup wizard starts automatically.

Afterward, you can manually start the Data Connections Setup wizard.

Note: The setup or changes that you make in the following Steps apply only to the current profile.

Steps

From the Create New Data Source dialog box, for a new OLE-DB connection, select Create a new data source (using OLE-DB), and then click Next.
In the Data Provider field, select Microsoft Excel, and then click Next.
Click the Browse button, and then locate and select the database file.
- Note: If your Excel data source is in XLSX format, save a copy of that data source in XLS format.
Click Open.

The data file location and source appear in the Location area of the Create Data Source dialog box.

Only in special circumstances, such as under the directions of technical support, select the Show database connection string check box.

Otherwise, do not select the check box.

Click Next.

If you selected the Show the database connection string check box, the panel displays the connection string. You should not edit the connection string except in special circumstances.

If technical support instructed you to change the connection string, enter the changes.
Click Next.
Enter a name of your choice for the data source name, and click Next.
- Tip: If you use multiple database sources, enter a name that helps you to identify which database source that your database connection is using.
Click OK to finish the wizard.

The Order Lookup Data Map window displays your data source name.

After you have specified the OLE-DB data source to use with Endicia Professional, the Create a SELECT Statement wizard runs that helps you specify the SELECT statement to retrieve data from your Microsoft Excel data source file.