If you need to pull in data from an external source ad hoc, using SSIS is often overkill. Instead, SQL Server Import and Export Wizard (called “Import and Export Data” in the Start Menu, but DTSWizard.exe in the filesystem) usually does a good job. This is especially great way to pull in data from users, which typically comes in the form of an Excel attachment. Unfortunately, the providers to import from the newer Office 2007 and 2010 XLSX  file format (also referred to as “Open Office XML”) are not available by default and will likely result in a “Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 Provider is not registered” error. The fix is as easy as  installing the “2007 Office System Driver: Data Connectivity Components” package from Microsoft. This same package will also enable access to Access 2007.

After installation, simply re-run DTSWizard and try to import again. If you can’t find Excel or Access in the Data Source dropdown list, remember that the providers only work in 32-bit mode, and therefore you need to run “Import and Export Data (32-bit),” which is located at “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\DTS\Binn\DTSWizard.exe”.