The OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" for linked server "(null)"

Question

I'm trying to run the following statement but am receiving the error messages just below. I have researched answers to no end and none have worked for me. I'm running Office 365 (64bit). I have loaded the Microsoft Access Database Engine (64bit). This is in Visual Studio 2013 with SSDT as well as SQL Server 2012. I do not have access to changing environment or startup parameters to SQL Server. Any help is appreciated.

SELECT * FROM OPENROWSET('Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.15.0', 
    'Excel 12.0;Database=C:\Users\UserName\Folder\SomeFile.xlsx;;HDR=NO;IMEX=1', [Table 1$])

• Msg 7399, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 The OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.15.0" for linked server "(null)" reported an error. The provider did not give any information about the error.
• Msg 7303, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 Cannot initialize the data source object of OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.15.0" for linked server "(null)".

Here's what I have tried:

First, I ran...

sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1;
RECONFIGURE;
GO
sp_configure 'Ad Hoc Distributed Queries', 1;
RECONFIGURE;
GO

Followed by...with no love.

EXEC sys.sp_addsrvrolemember @loginame = N'<<Domain\User>>', @rolename = N'sysadmin';
GO

EXEC master.dbo.sp_MSset_oledb_prop N'Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.15.0', N'AllowInProcess', 1 
GO 
EXEC master.dbo.sp_MSset_oledb_prop N'Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.15.0', N'DynamicParameters', 1 
GO 

I have changed the code to read Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 as I have seen that as well, still no love.

I have also checked permissions of C:\Users\MSSQLSERVER\AppData\Local\Temp and C:Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Local which have granted Full Control for the following: System, MSSQLSERVER, and Administrators, Network Service (on the latter).

Still no love.

Lastly, I have tried changing to the 32bit version of the Microsoft Access Database Engine which has persisted in not working.

Help, anyone?

Answer 1

This is for my reference, as I encountered a variety of SQL error messages while trying to connect with provider. Other answers prescribe "try this, then this, then this". I appreciate the other answers, but I like to pair specific solutions with specific problems

---

Error

...provider did not give information...Cannot initialize data source object...

Error Numbers

7399, 7303

Error Detail

Msg 7399, Level 16, State 1, Line 2 The OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" for linked server "(null)" reported an error.    The provider did not give any information about the error.  Msg 7303, Level 16, State 1, Line 2 Cannot initialize the data source object   of OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" for linked server "(null)". 

Solution

File was open. Close it.

Credit

• https://stackoverflow.com/a/29369868/1175496

---

Error

Access denied...Cannot get the column information...

Error Numbers

7399, 7350

Error Detail

Msg 7399, Level 16, State 1, Line 2 The OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" for linked server "(null)" reported an error.    Access denied. Msg 7350, Level 16, State 2, Line 2 Cannot get the column information    from OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" for linked server "(null)". 

Solution

Give access

Credit

• https://stackoverflow.com/a/27509955/1175496

---

Error

No value given for one or more required parameters....Cannot execute the query ...

Error Numbers

???, 7320

Error Detail

OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" for linked server "(null)" returned message "No value given for one or more required parameters.". Msg 7320, Level 16, State 2, Line 2 Cannot execute the query "select [Col A], [Col A] FROM　$Sheet" against OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" for linked server "(null)".  

Solution

Column names might be wrong. Do [Col A] and [Col B] actually exist in your spreadsheet?

---

Error

"Unspecified error"...Cannot initialize data source object...

Error Numbers

???, 7303

Error Detail

OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" for linked server "(null)" returned message "Unspecified error". Msg 7303, Level 16, State 1, Line 2 Cannot initialize the data source object of OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" for linked server "(null)". 

Solution

Run SSMS as admin. See this question.

---

Other References

Other answers which suggest modifying properties. Not sure how modifying these two properties (checking them or unchecking them) would help.

• https://stackoverflow.com/a/31605038/1175496
• http://www.aspsnippets.com/Articles/The-OLE-DB-provider-Microsoft.Ace.OLEDB.12.0-for-linked-server-null.aspx
• https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/lync/en-US/bb2dc720-f8f9-4b93-b5d1-cfb4f8a8b1cb/the-ole-db-provider-microsoftaceoledb120-for-linked-server-null-reported-an-error-access?forum=sqldataaccess#3fcc14f4-420e-4544-be74-eea1e0e78462

Answer 2

http://www.aspsnippets.com/Articles/The-OLE-DB-provider-Microsoft.Ace.OLEDB.12.0-for-linked-server-null.aspx

This solves the issue. For some reason SQL Server does not like the default MSSQLSERVER account. Switching it to a local user account resolves the issue.

Answer 3

Instead of changing the user, I've found this advise:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/lync/en-US/bb2dc720-f8f9-4b93-b5d1-cfb4f8a8b1cb/the-ole-db-provider-microsoftaceoledb120-for-linked-server-null-reported-an-error-access?forum=sqldataaccess

This might help someone else out - after trying every solution to trying and fix this error on SQL 64..

Cannot initialize the data source object of OLE DB provider "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0" for linked server "(null)".

..I found an article here...

http://sqlserverpedia.com/blog/sql-server-bloggers/too-many-bits/

..which suggested I give Everyone full permission on this folder..

C:\Users\SQL Service account name\AppData\Local\Temp

And hey presto! My query suddenly burst into life. I punched the air in delight.

Edwaldo