Make an OLE DB connection to non-relational data sources

Summary

Steps to make an OLE DB connection to non-relational data sources, such as text files.

Procedure

1. Create an ODBC Data Source Name (DSN), if none already exist, to the selected data source using the Windows Data Sources (ODBC) utility and an appropriate ODBC driver.
2. Once you have created the DSN, double-click the Add OLE DB Connection option from within ArcCatalog or ArcMap to open the Data Link Properties menu.
3. On the first panel of the Data Link Properties menu, make sure the Microsoft OLE DB provider for ODBC Drivers is selected. This is the default option.
4. Click the Connection tab and select the first option 'Use data source name'. Select your DSN from the pulldown list
5. Verify the connection by clicking Test Connection. Click OK to close the Data Link Properties menu.
6. A new OLE DB connection object will appear in the ArcCatalog or ArcMap TOC view under the Database Connections folder. Expand this object to preview the tables.