Exporting to an ODBC Database

The first time that you export a Revit project to an ODBC database, use the following procedure. If you have already exported the project and want to re-export it, see Exporting Multiple Times to the Same ODBC Database.

To export to an ODBC database

  1. In Revit, open the project to export.
  2. Click Export (ODBC Database).
  3. In the Select Data Source dialog, click New to create a new Data Source Name (DSN).
  4. In the Create New Data Source dialog:
    1. Select a driver, and click Next.

      This driver is associated with the software program you export to (for example, Microsoft® Access, dBase, or Paradox).

    2. Enter a DSN name, or navigate to the target folder and specify a file name. Click Next.
    3. A confirmation dialog displays. If any information is incorrect, click Back and correct it.

    4. Click Finish.
  5. Create the database file.

    Depending on the driver selected, a dialog displays, requesting information about the database file to which you’re exporting. Use the dialog to specify the database to use or to create a new one. For example:

    • For Microsoft® Access, click Select to select an existing database, or click Create to create a new, empty database to export data to.
    • For Microsoft® Excel, first use Excel to create a new, empty workbook with the desired name. Then on the dialog, click Select Workbook, and navigate to the new workbook.
  6. In the Select Data Source dialog, click OK.
  7. In the ODBC Setup dialog, click OK.
Note: If the export fails with an error regarding a read-only database, click Options in the ODBC Microsoft Setup dialog. Clear the Read Only check box. Then try the export again.

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