Best Excel ODBC Drivers for Data Access, BI, and Integration

ODBC drivers make it possible to connect Excel files with reporting tools, BI platforms, ETL systems, IDEs, and custom applications. The right driver depends on how the Excel data will be used: simple Windows-based access, cross-platform development, or larger integration workflows.

Below are three strong options for working with Excel data through ODBC.

1. Devart ODBC Driver for Excel

Best for: Cross-platform Excel connectivity for reporting, BI, ETL, and commercial software development.

ODBC Driver for Excel by Devart is a dedicated commercial driver designed for teams that need reliable Excel access across different operating systems and tools. It works without requiring Microsoft Excel to be installed, which makes it useful for servers, automation, and environments where Office is not available.

Key benefits

• Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Supports .xls, .xlsx, and .xlsm files
• Provides read-only support for older Excel 97–2003 files
• Does not require Microsoft Excel installation
• Allows SQL-style access to Excel data
• Supports JOINs, filtering, grouping, sorting, and other SQL-92 features
• Supports INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations
• Verified by Devart for use with 250+ analytics, reporting, IDE, and development tools

Possible limitations

• It is a paid commercial driver
• Its advanced features may be more than needed for very simple local Excel access

Devart is the strongest option for users who need flexible, professional, and cross-platform Excel connectivity.

2. Microsoft Access Database Engine / Microsoft 365 Access Runtime

Best for: Windows users working in Microsoft Office-based environments.

Microsoft Access Database Engine and Microsoft 365 Access Runtime provide Microsoft’s native path for connecting Office files, including Excel, with other applications. This option is especially familiar for users who already work heavily with Microsoft Office tools on Windows.

Key benefits

• Provides Office file connectivity through ODBC, OLE DB, and DAO interfaces
• Supports Excel formats such as .xls, .xlsx, and .xlsb
• Microsoft 365 Access Runtime is available as a free download
• Available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions
• Familiar choice for Microsoft Office-centered workflows

Possible limitations

• Mainly suited to Windows and Microsoft Office environments
• The Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable reached end of support on October 14, 2025
• Microsoft recommends Microsoft 365 Access Runtime instead of the older redistributable
• Not intended as a general replacement for Jet
• Not recommended for some server-side or stateless application scenarios
• May have compatibility limits with certain Office installation models

This option is practical for Windows users who want Microsoft’s own connectivity stack, but it is less flexible for cross-platform or commercial application scenarios.

3. ZappySys Excel ODBC Driver

Best for: ETL and integration teams that need Excel support inside a broader ODBC toolkit.

ZappySys Excel ODBC Driver is part of the ODBC PowerPack and is designed mainly for integration-heavy workflows. It can read and write Excel files and expose Excel data as a flat table, which is useful for data pipelines and ETL tasks.

Key benefits

• Supports reading and writing Excel files
• Works with .xls and .xlsx formats
• Can expose Excel data as a flat table
• Fits broader ODBC-based integration scenarios
• Trial availability is highlighted by ZappySys

Possible limitations

• Positioned more as part of a larger ODBC bundle than as a standalone Excel-only driver
• More focused on integration workflows than basic Excel connectivity
• May be more specialized than necessary for users who only need simple Excel access

ZappySys is a good fit for teams already using integration platforms or ODBC-based ETL workflows.

Summary

For most professional use cases, Devart ODBC Driver for Excel is the best overall choice. It offers cross-platform support, SQL-style querying, Excel read/write functionality, and compatibility with a wide range of analytics, BI, reporting, and development tools.

Microsoft Access Database Engine / Microsoft 365 Access Runtime is a good option for Windows users who prefer Microsoft’s native Office connectivity approach.

ZappySys Excel ODBC Driver is best for teams that need Excel connectivity as part of a larger ETL or integration-focused ODBC toolkit.