XML FeedsThis is a problem I ran into recently. I have a 64-bit operating system.
I'm running Excel 2010, which is 32-bit. There is also a 64-bit version. (You can get this information by going to File > Help.)
I went to Programs > Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC). I set up a System DSN. I tested it and it works fine. Hurray!
Then I opened Excel 2010 and went to Data > From Other Sources > From Microsoft Query. The DSN isn’t there. What happened?
I scratched my head over this for a while, and then emailed my team. One of my senior DBAs had run into this before and pointed me to this Microsoft KB article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942976. On a 64-bit computer, the DSN will be set up as 64-bit. However, a 32-bit application can’t see a 64-bit DSN. Excel 2010 is a 32-bit application.
To solve this problem, I needed to set up a 32-bit DSN. I did that by going running the 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator tool from C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe. I created the same DSN, with _32Bit in the name.
I went back to Excel > Data > From Other Sources > From Microsoft Query. My 32-bit DSN is in the list.
What I learned is that 64-bit operating systems contain both 64-bit and 32-bit ODBC administration tools. You must use the appropriate tool for the application you are working with.
Jes Schultz Borland is a Consultant with Brent Ozar PLF, and a Microsoft SQL Server MVP. She holds an AAS - Programmer/Analyst degree, and has worked with SQL Server since 2007, focusing on Reporting Services and day-to-day administration. She is an active member of PASS, Director of Communication for MADPASS, founder of Tech on Tap, and a LessThanDot.com blogger. She's a frequent presenter at user groups, SQL Saturdays, and other community events. She is also an avid runner and chef. 
Keep in mind that Excel 2010 comes in a 32 bit as well as a 64 bit version. I will check later today at home where I do have a 64 bit version of office 2010 installed to see if I see the DSN 
I have Excel 2010 64 bit. I'll test later tonight if I can access 64 bit DSN.
Denis, you're correct. Thanks for pointing that out. 
Thanks, Jes! Had this problem in Access as well.
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