ODBC drivers that are compatible with Excel for Mac

If you want to import data into Excel for Mac from a database, you need an Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver installed on your Mac. The driver you get depends on which version of Excel for Mac you have.

Excel for Mac 2011

This version of Excel does not provide an ODBC driver. You must install it yourself. Drivers that are compatible with Excel for Mac 2011 are available from these companies:

• OpenLink Software

• Actual Technologies

• Simba Technologies

After you install the driver for your source, you can use Microsoft Query to create new queries or refresh existing queries that were created in other versions of Excel, such as Excel X, Excel 2004, and Excel for Windows. For more information, see Import data from a database in Excel for Mac 2011.

Excel 2016 for Mac

This version of Excel does provide an ODBC driver for connecting to SQL Server Databases. On the Data tab, click New Database Query > SQL Server ODBC. Then use the dialog boxes to import the data.

If you are connecting to other ODBC data sources (for example, FileMaker Pro), then you'll need to install the ODBC driver for the data source on your Mac. Drivers that are compatible with Excel for Mac are available from these companies:

• OpenLink Software

• Actual Technologies

Important: As of August 2016, Excel 2016 for the Mac was updated from 32-bit software to 64-bit software. To see if you have this update, click the Excel menu > About Excel. If you have version 15.25 or later, you have the 64-bit version.

The 64-bit update helps Excel run faster, and makes it more reliable when working with very large files. However, if you are using a 32-bit ODBC driver from one of the companies listed above, it may cause Excel to crash when connecting. To avoid this, install a 64-bit driver from the company's website.