How to programmatically create an Access DSN

When I was working on a project at Exxon, I had to load Access on startup to connect to a DSN.

Here is how I implemented it (I don’t remember where I found the code):

Private Sub Form_Open(Cancel As Integer)

    '#####================================================================================
    '## 
    '##
    '## Purpose:
    '##         For use in scripts that require SQL System DSNs (setup and pre-req check)
    '##         1. Checks if SQL System DSN exists if not, exits
    '##         2. Creates SQL System DSN by running /Setup and prompt user for values (or uses defaults)
    '##
    '## Requirements:
    '##         1. Must have administrative permissions to create SQL system DSN.
    '##         2. Change Const DSN: DSN="Your DSN Name"
    '##
    '## Basic Logic:
    '##         1. Checks to see if your SQL System DSN exists
    '##         2. If you run the script with /Setup, script will prompt you for values and creates SQL system DSN
    '#####================================================================================
    Dim strMsg As String
    
    
    On Error Resume Next
         
    Const DSN = "my_intranet"
    If Not DSNExists(DSN) Then
              
        strMsg = vbNewLine & "***Failed Pre-Req. A SQL system DSN must first exist to 'RMH Intranet DB', " & _
          "use /Setup to create one*** (or one will be created automatically)"
          
        MsgBox strMsg
        
        Setup
        
        Wscript.Quit
    End If


End Sub


Sub Setup()
      'DESC: Creats a System DSN to database

      Dim strDataSourceName: strDataSourceName = "my_intranet" 'InputBox("Enter Data Source Name", "Data Source Name", "MY_DATABASE_DSN")
      Dim strSQLServer: strSQLServer = "192.168.1.2" 'InputBox("Enter SQL Server Name", "SQL Server", "SQL001")
      Dim strDescription: strDescription = "My Intranet DB" ' InputBox("Enter Description", "Description", "DSN to MY DATABASE")
      Dim strDataBaseName: strDataBaseName = "my_test" ' InputBox("Enter Database Name", "Database", "MY_DATABASE")
 
      'Set Values
      Const SystemFolder = 1
      Dim objFSO: Set objFSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
      Dim strSysPath: strSysPath = objFSO.GetSpecialFolder(SystemFolder)
      Dim strDriverName: strDriverName = "MySQL ODBC 3.51 Driver"
      Dim strDriverPath: strDriverPath = strSysPath & "\sqlsrv32.dll"
      Dim strTrustedConnection: strTrustedConnection = "Yes"

      Dim strRegPath: strRegPath = "HKCU\SOFTWARE\ODBC\ODBC.INI\" & strDataSourceName & "\"

      Dim objWshNetwork: Set objWshNetwork = CreateObject("WScript.Network")
      Dim strLastUser: strLastUser = objWshNetwork.UserName
      Dim objWshShell: Set objWshShell = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
 
      'Create Key
      objWshShell.RegWrite strRegPath, ""
 
      'Create Values
      objWshShell.RegWrite strRegPath & "Database", strDataBaseName
      objWshShell.RegWrite strRegPath & "Description", strDescription
      objWshShell.RegWrite strRegPath & "Driver", strDriverName
      objWshShell.RegWrite strRegPath & "LastUser", strLastUser
      objWshShell.RegWrite strRegPath & "Server", strSQLServer
      objWshShell.RegWrite strRegPath & "Trusted_Connection", strTrustedConnection

      objWshShell.RegWrite "HKCU\SOFTWARE\ODBC\ODBC.INI\ODBC Data Sources\" & strDataSourceName, strDriverName

      MsgBox "MySQL System DSN: " & strDataSourceName & " has been created"
 
      Set objFSO = Nothing
      Set objWshNetwork = Nothing
      Set objWshShell = Nothing
      Wscript.Quit
End Sub
 
Function DSNExists(strValueName)
    Dim strComputer: strComputer = "."
    Dim objReg: Set objReg = GetObject("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & _
        "\root\default:StdRegProv")
    Dim strKeyPath: strKeyPath = "SOFTWARE\ODBC\ODBC.INI\ODBC Data Sources"

    
    Const HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT = &H80000000
    Const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001
    Const HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE = &H80000002
    Const HKEY_USERS = &H80000003
    Const HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG = &H80000005
      
    Dim strDWValue

    objReg.GetStringValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER, strKeyPath, strValueName, strDWValue
    If strDWValue <> "" Then
          DSNExists = vbTrue
    Else
          DSNExists = vbFalse
    End If
End Function



Let me know if you have any questions.


 




By the way, if you got or are getting value from the VBA information, please click the "Donate" button to give me a small token of your appreciation, thanks!


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