In previous versions, it was easy for me to add a connection to a FMP db via OBDC. I would go to filesettingscontroladmin toolsdata sourcesadd FMP Driver... and then add the connection by naming the file. Then I would go to Excel when needed and do a "import external datanew db query and I would see my old FMP file there. Now in FMP7Dev I don't even see an OBDC drvier at all. Has this easy to use feature been eliminated? Help! -- Barry [email protected]

In previous versions, it was easy for me to add a connection to a FMP db via OBDC. I would go to filesettingscontroladmin toolsdata sourcesadd FMP Driver... and then add the connection by naming the file. Then I would go to Excel when needed and do a "import external datanew db query and I would see my old FMP file there. Now in FMP7Dev I don't even see an OBDC drvier at all. Has this easy to use feature been eliminated? Help! -- Barry [email protected]

In previous versions, it was easy for me to add a connection to a FMP db via OBDC. I would go to filesettingscontroladmin toolsdata sourcesadd FMP Driver... and then add the connection by naming the file. Then I would go to Excel when needed and do a "import external datanew db query and I would see my old FMP file there. Now in FMP7Dev I don't even see an OBDC drvier at all. Has this easy to use feature been eliminated? Help! -- Barry [email protected]

Any help with this issue is appreciated.

DOes this have anything to do with Excel, or is the problem happening before Excel comes into the picture? It sounds to me like the latter.

I use Windows XP and FileMaker 6 so some things might be different.

You say "go to filesettingscontroladmin toolsdata sourcesadd..." but I think the first one is not file but Start as in the Windows Start Menu, correct? I wrote the following bit of instruction many months ago, they might be useful:

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1. Go to Start->Settings->Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Data Sources. In User DSN (seems to work)

a. Add a new source. Use the driver "Filemaker Pro", name it "FMP", describe it "MYDBNAME".

b. Under Advanced tab, uncheck Number, Time and Date as Text

c. Set Max Text Length to at least 4096

2. Open FileMaker Pro and the Main database. Go to Edit->Preferences->Application.

a. On Plugins tab check Local Data Access Companion

b. Click OK

c. Go to File->Sharing and check Local Data Access COmpanion

3. You must keep open FMP and all database files you might be accessing.

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It sounds like step 2 there is not yet relevant because you can't get past step 1, is that correct?