How to read data from Microsoft Access .accdb database files into R?

Question

The RODBC documentation suggests it is possible, but I am not sure how to read data from a Microsoft Access (the new .accdb format) file with this package into

Answer 1

ODBC is a bit of 'plug and pray' system connecting different bricks.

RODBC allow you to get something from an ODBC provider into R. What you still need is the (for lack of a better word) ODBC-exporting driver of the database system in question. Which you need on your OS --- so I think with the Access-into-Linux combination you are without luck. Windows-only.

People have managed to access SQL Server using FreeTDS drivers (for the TDS protocol underlying Sybase and via an early license also MS-SQL) but it is usualluy a fight to get it going.

Answer 2

My solution (the most simple that I found):

• install "Access Database Engine" from Micosoft
• configure the connection to the Access data base (mdb or accdb) in Windows Administrative Tools, using the ODBC 32b tool. I's also possible to use c:\windows\sysWOW64\odbcad32.exe
• run RStudio in 32b mode ; it can be fixed in RStudio settings (relaunch RStudio after any change)
• finally, the RODBC functions work successfully.

CAUTION: it works only in Windows, not in linux. Personnally I use Windows as a Virtual Box guest within Xubuntu.