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You are on the right path with an ODBC connection, and creating the linked table that way.<br><br>Here you can see how you can avoid saving the password with the linked table:<br><a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2011/04/08/power-tip-improve-the-security-of-database-connections/" rel="ugc">https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2011/04/08/power-tip-improve-the-security-of-database-connections/</a>
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IT Manager

Ian Wallace

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You need to make sure the linked table contains a primary key, and I always add a Timestamp (rowversion) column to every table. &nbsp;This is used by SQL Server to help with write conflicts.<br><br>This should help with the occurrence of the above error.
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The table has a primary key defined.
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Sorted - thanks for your help gents!!
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Hi,<br><br>I have been using MS Access with MS SQL for years and have a robust routine in place for linking tables when the MS Access database is opened (It needs to do this as the user can run the database in live or test mode which connect to different SQL databases).<br><br>I've recently picked up a project where the client want to use Azure SQL as the data source but when I try to connect I get the message <em>Run-time error '3170': Could not find installable ISAM</em>.<br><br>I've tried several methods of linking the table and get the same message every time - apart from one - If I create an ODBC connection to the Azure SQL database and then link through the ODBC it works, but asks me for the user name and password every time I want to do anything with it. &nbsp;<br><br>I have to use SQL authentication as the majority of the users will be running the Access database on their home PCs so don't have Active Directory user accounts.<br><br>Any help would be appreciated!
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Hi,
I have been using MS Access with MS SQL for years and have a robust routine in place for linking tables when the MS Access database is opened (It needs to do this as the user can run the database in live or test mode which connect to different SQL databases).
I've recently picked up a project where the client want to use Azure SQL as the data source but when I try to connect I get the message
Run-time error '3170': Could not find installable ISAM
.
I've tried several methods of linking the table and get the same message every time - apart from one - If I create an ODBC connection to the Azure SQL database and then link through the ODBC it works, but asks me for the user name and password every time I want to do anything with it.  
I have to use SQL authentication as the majority of the users will be running the Access database on their home PCs so don't have Active Directory user accounts.
Any help would be appreciated!

Linking MS Access To Azure SQL Tables

Microsoft Access is a rapid application development (RAD) relational database tool. Access can be used for both desktop and web-based applications, and uses VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) as its coding language.

Microsoft Access

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