I cannot see or select the tables when creating and ACCESS ODBC

Question

I cannot see or select the tables when creating and ACCESS ODBC

Frank Valendo 0

I create the User ODBC But I cannot add the tables so when I connect to a datassource from crystal reports I cannot select tables or map indexed fields

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Dale Fye 10

You can download the Linked Table Manager from my website.

I prefer to create DSN-less connections to my tables, and it lets you do this with either Access or SQL Server tables.

Don Varnau 19,930 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-14T17:08:05.1966667+00:00

@ Dale Fye,

That link doesn't work for me. Might be safer to simply post the URL.

Thanks,

Don
Gustav 767 Reputation points MVP

2026-09-17T06:07:11.4066667+00:00

Just search on the key words:

dale fye linked table manager

Answer 2

Hendrix 1,090 Independent Advisor

Hi Frank,

Regarding your concern, an ODBC DSN provides only the connection information, and you cannot add tables inside the DSN itself. The tables must already exist in the Access database or underlying server, and Crystal Reports must use the correct ODBC bitness, permissions, and object-display settings.

First, please go to Crystal Reports > select Help > About Crystal Reports and determine whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit. Then, configure the DSN using the matching ODBC administrator:

For 32-bit Crystal Reports, configure the DSN using: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe
For 64-bit Crystal Reports, configure the DSN using: C:\Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe

After that, please follow these steps:

1/ Verify the database selected in the DSN

Open the appropriate ODBC Data Source Administrator > select the User DSN and choose Configure.
Confirm that it points to the correct Access .accdb or .mdb file.

2/ Check the Crystal Reports database settings

In Crystal Reports, go to File > Options > Database > make sure Tables and Views are selected.
Clear any entries under Table Name LIKE and Owner LIKE, or use % to avoid filtering out database objects.
Restart Crystal Reports and test the connection again.
Access select queries may appear under Views in Crystal Reports, so the Views option needs to be enabled.

3/ Verify the tables in Microsoft Access

Open the database directly in Access and confirm that the required tables can be opened.
If they are linked tables, go to External Data > Linked Table Manager and refresh or relink them.
Verify that each table has a primary key or an appropriate unique index.

4/ Refresh the database structure in Crystal Reports

Open the report > go to Database > Verify Database.
If the report was previously connected to another database or table, use Database > Set DataSource Location to map it to the correct table.

For reference: https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_CRYSTAL_REPORTS/dfc124becfa845ffa91b1e717b20e3ec/474e3deb6e041014910a…

(This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Product). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.)

Hope this information is helpful. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to share them in the comment below. I'm very happy to help.

Frank Valendo 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:19:51.79+00:00
Frank Valendo 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:20:21.3766667+00:00

that is the error message I get
Frank Valendo 0 Reputation points

2026-09-14T19:24:07.5933333+00:00

I am trying to bring multiple tables from the same and sometimes different access DB. Direct access was simple.
Hendrix 1,090 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-14T20:43:18.75+00:00
Hi Frank,

Greatly appreciate your response.

Based on your screenshot, that error message means Crystal Reports can find the ODBC connection, but the Microsoft Access ODBC driver cannot complete a request for table, field, or index information. This problem is usually related to the ODBC driver, 32-bit/64-bit compatibility, or an object within the Access database.

Please follow these steps to narrow down the situation:

First, in Crystal Reports, open Help > About Crystal Reports and confirm whether the application is 32-bit or 64-bit.

Create a new ODBC DSN and ensure you use the matching ODBC Administrator:

32-bit: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe

64-bit: C:\Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe

Create a new System DSN and select the correct .accdb/.mdb file.

Restart Crystal Reports and connect through: Database Expert > Create New Connection > ODBC (RDO). Please select the newly created DSN rather than reusing an existing entry under My Connections.

Test the connection with a new, simple Access database containing one basic table.

This will help determine whether the issue comes from the ODBC driver or the original database. Also, in the original Access database, run Database Tools > Compact and Repair Database, refresh any linked tables, and verify that the required tables have valid primary keys:

If a simple test database produces the same error, please repair the Microsoft Access Database Engine or Microsoft 365 installation.

If the simple database works, please check the original tables for linked-table errors or unsupported field types, such as attachments, multivalued fields, calculated fields, or Date/Time Extended fields.
Hendrix 1,090 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-15T22:19:35.51+00:00

Hi Frank,

How are things going? Is the issue resolved? Any update would be appreciated.