The following error might be generated when using a SAS/ACCESS^® Interface to PC Files engines such as EXCEL or ACCESS:

ERROR: Connect: Class not registered.
ERROR: Error in the LIBNAME statement.

This error is a result of a missing Microsoft driver package that is required for successfully working with these file types.

To circumvent this problem, it is recommended that you install Microsoft Access 2013 Runtime. To download the software, go to the Microsoft Access website. Note that the download should have the same bitness as the currently installed Microsoft Office on the system. The 32-bit download is labeled AccessRuntime_x86_en-us.exe, whereas the 64-bit download is named AccessRuntime_x64_en-us.exe.

If this error persists after you install the driver package, there is most likely a mismatch in the bitness between SAS^® and Microsoft Office. To confirm and workaround this problem, refer to SAS KB0036453: "Steps to troubleshoot 'ERROR: Connect: Class not registered' in SAS/ACCESS^® Interface to PC Files engines."