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Set up a new ODBC Link

To log in to Access Dimensions, you need an ODBC link between your system and your SQL server. We recommend having this set up by a system administrator or someone familiar with ODBC configuration. There are two methods to create the link.

Method 1: Create the ODBC link using Windows

These instructions are written for Windows 10 64-bit. Menu locations may vary on other versions of Windows.

  1. Click Start > Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Administrative Tools > ODBC Data Sources (32-bit).

  2. Click the System DSN tab, then click Add.

  3. Select the relevant driver for your SQL Server version and click Finish.

    • Use SQL Server Native Client drivers. For Dimensions 2.51f and above, Native Client drivers are required.

    • If a Native Client driver is not available, contact your IT team to download one from the Microsoft website. The Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server may also be suitable.

  4. Enter a name for the connection and select the relevant SQL server or instance.

  5. Select whether the connection uses SQL authentication or Windows authentication.

    • For SQL authentication, enter a valid SQL username and password.

  6. Untick Perform translation for character data.

  7. Click Finish.

  8. The next screen has a Test Data Source option. Test the connection before saving.

Method 2: Create the ODBC link using Access Dimensions

  1. On the Dimensions log in screen, click More.

  2. Click the magnifying glass next to the ODBC Data Link box.

  3. Click the ODBC Administrator icon, usually in the top left.

  4. Click the System DSN tab, then click Add.

  5. Select the relevant driver version. Use SQL Server Native Client drivers. Dimensions 2.51f and above require a Native Client driver.

    • If a Native Client driver is not available, contact your IT team to download one from the Microsoft website. The Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server may also be suitable.

  6. Enter a name for the connection and select the relevant SQL server.

  7. Click Next.

  8. Select SQL or Windows authentication. For SQL authentication, enter a valid username and password.

  9. Click Next.

  10. Leave the default settings on this screen.

  11. Click Next.

  12. Click Finish.

  13. Use the Test Data Source option to test the connection.

Once complete, select the relevant ODBC data link when logging in to Dimensions.

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