If you’ve ever tried to run a query on an Excel file with millions of rows, or needed to connect a non-Microsoft app to an Access database, you’ve likely run into a mysterious error: "The Microsoft Access database engine could not find the object" or "Unrecognized database format."

Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.16.0;Data Source=C:\Data\MyDB.accdb;Persist Security Info=False;

Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.16.0;Data Source=C:\Data\Report.xlsx;Extended Properties="Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=YES";

Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.16.0;Data Source=C:\Data\Secure.accdb;Jet OLEDB:Database Password=MyPass;