Is it possible to use Database Toolbox 3.2 (R2006b) in 64-bit MATLAB to connect to a Microsoft Access database?

I would like to use Database Toolbox 3.2 (R2006b) in 64-bit MATLAB to connect to a Microsoft Access database. When I set up the ODBC data source in Windows, it displays in QUERYBUILDER. However, when I try to connect to the data source, I the following error message is displayed:

 "[Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager]Data source name not found and no default driver specified"

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

It is not possible to connect to a Microsoft Access database which is a 32-bit application with 64-bit MATLAB. Due to a general limitation of ODBC drivers, 64-bit MATLAB (or any 64-bit application) cannot interact with 32-bit ODBC drivers.

There are two ways to work around this issue:

1. Install 32-bit MATLAB on your 64-bit machine, and have 32-bit MATLAB and Database Toolbox communicate with the Microsoft Access Database.

If you need to work in the 64-bit MATLAB environment only, install 32-bit MATLAB on your 64-bit machine as well. Use 64-bit MATLAB as a COM automation client and 32-bit MATLAB as a COM automation server, and have 32-bit MATLAB and Database Toolbox communicate with the Microsoft Access Database.

For more information on MATLAB support for COM, please visit the following web site:

 <http://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/using-com-objects-in-matlab.html>

2. Use Microsoft Excel to communicate with the database, and then use any of the following options to transfer the retrieved data from Excel to MATLAB:

a. Use Excel Link

b. Start Excel as a COM Automation Server

c. Use XLSREAD

Excel Link:

 <http://www.mathworks.com/products/excellink/>

Excel as COM Automation Server:

 <http://www.mathworks.com/access/helpdesk/help/techdoc/matlab_external/bqdwu3j.html>

XLSREAD:

 <http://www.mathworks.com/access/helpdesk/help/techdoc/index.html?/access/helpdesk/help/techdoc/ref/xlsread.html>