Using Database Libraries with 32-bit and 64-bit Altium Designer on the Same Computer

When using Microsoft Access as the backend database for your Database Libraries (DbLibs), there is one important difference between using 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Altium Designer:

• 64-bit Altium Designer (Altium Designer 18.0 and later) – requires 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine to be able to use MS Access with database libraries (DbLibs).
• 32-bit Altium Designer (Altium Designer 17.1 and earlier) – requires 32-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine to be able to use MS Access with database libraries (DbLibs).

Typically, the appropriate version of Microsoft Office would be installed, of which Access is a constituent part. However, if there is a need to have both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Altium Designer running on the same computer, the issue is that Microsoft does not officially support, nor endorse, the coexistence of both 32-bit and 64-bit Office applications and drivers on the same computer.

Altium suggests the following two solutions:

1. When Microsoft Office (with Access) is not available, download and install the 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine (2016).

2. When a 32-bit version of Microsoft Office (featuring Access) is available, download and install the 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine (2016) first, followed by Microsoft Office.

   Note that this solution only works with 32-bit Microsoft Office 2007. It does not work with a later version of 32-bit Microsoft Office.
   Procedure for Installing 64-bit MS Access Database Drivers, followed by 32-bit MS Office

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   The procedure to install the 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine (2016) first, followed by the 32-bit version (2007) of Microsoft Office, is as follows:

   1. Uninstall all 32-bit Office installations (including language packs and so on). If you have installed the 32-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010, or 2016, you must uninstall this too.
   2. Install the 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016.
   3. Reboot your computer.
   4. Test if your 64-bit Altium Designer works with Database Libraries.
   5. Install the 32-bit version of Microsoft Office (2007).
   6. Reboot your computer.
   7. Test if your 32-bit Altium Designer works with Database Libraries.