Error: Provider cannot be found. It may not be properly installed
Overview
When using the Jet Excel add-in with SQL Server 2012 or higher, and testing the connection to either a NAV SQL data source or a SQL data source, an "Provider cannot be found" message may be displayed.
Complete text of error message is:
Provider cannot be found. It may not be properly installed.
Cause
This error is generally encountered when either:
- the SQL Server Native Client driver (aka "provider") is not installed or
- the driver installed on the computer is not fully compatible with the version of SQL Server that is being accessed.
Resolution
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SQL Server Clients are available directly from Microsoft.
Here is a link to Microsoft's SQL Server 2012 Native Client QFE driver: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50402
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Download and install the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Native Client QFE driver that is appropriate for your installation of Windows ( X86 = 32-bit, X64 = 64-bit).
Close and restart Excel and test your report(s) again.