Question

Can I connect Excel 2003 to a SQL 2005 Express MDF file?

Asked by: p_love

Hi,

I dont want to use Access for an Excel VBA solution, and so was wondering if it is possible to connect Excel 2003 via ADO to a detached MDF file.  I could then distribute the application as an Excel file and an MDF file in the local file system.

Is this possible?

Regards

p

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Asked On
2008-02-19 at 14:17:08ID23175917
Tags

Excel VBA

,

2003

Topics

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Software

,

MS SQL Server

,

SQL Server 2005

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
9

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Answers

 

by: cmangusPosted on 2008-02-19 at 14:21:46ID: 20933224

No, Excel can't access a detached MDF file.  The only way to get data out of the MDF is if it is an active database in SQL Server.

 

by: p_lovePosted on 2008-02-19 at 15:08:53ID: 20933525

OK thanks....thats a pity. Excel can access an mdb file, and you can access an express MDF from .net - so this seems a shame.

 

by: cmangusPosted on 2008-02-19 at 15:11:23ID: 20933541

How are you directly accessing an MDF with .NET without the relational engine running?  It's very likely that the SQLExpress engine is running.  If that is the case then yes, you can access the MDF from Excel...

As far as I know, it is impossible to read data from an MDF without a running relational SQL engine.

 

by: p_lovePosted on 2008-02-19 at 15:53:29ID: 20933812

Well in ASP.NET you can place the MDF in the App_Data folder and use a connection string directly to the MDF file for example.

 

by: cmangusPosted on 2008-02-19 at 15:55:52ID: 20933827

Can you show me an example?  I've been a SQL Server DBA for over a decade and never heard of this being possible.

 

by: p_lovePosted on 2008-02-19 at 16:00:26ID: 20933862

 

by: acperkinsPosted on 2008-02-19 at 19:23:48ID: 20934773

From the link you posted:
<quote>
Working with Databases Through Visual Studio 2005
 When you install any of the Visual Studio 2005 editions you'll be asked if you also want to install SQL Server 2005 Express edition. If you choose Yes, this will install SQL Server 2005 Express edition on your development box, where you're installing Visual Studio 2005. (SQL Server 2005 Express edition can be installed side-by-side with other versions of SQL Server, including SQL Server 2000 and other editions of SQL Server 2005.)
</quote>

So as cmangus has already stated (no points for me) you need SQL Server not only installed but also running.

 

by: Computer101Posted on 2008-03-28 at 19:40:56ID: 21235254

Forced accept.

Computer101
EE Admin

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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