Access Web Datasheet (PN)~ An ActiveX component that is used to implement
Datasheet view in SharePoint.
Here’s the revised explanation of the Access Web Datasheet Component without any icons or emojis:
Access Web Datasheet Component (PN)
The Access Web Datasheet Component is a legacy ActiveX control used in older versions of SharePoint (such as 2003, 2007, and 2010) to enable the Datasheet View—an Excel-like, editable grid for working with SharePoint list data. It is based on the same rendering engine as Microsoft Access.
What It Does
- Renders list data in a spreadsheet-style grid within the browser.
- Allows inline editing, bulk copy-paste, and other list manipulation features.
- Relies on ActiveX and only works with 32-bit Internet Explorer.
Common Issues
You may encounter errors such as:
“A datasheet component compatible with Windows SharePoint Services is not installed.”
These issues usually arise due to:
- 64-bit versions of Office (which don’t include the required component)
- Modern browsers that don’t support ActiveX (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge)
- ActiveX being disabled in Internet Explorer settings
How to Fix or Work Around It
| Scenario | Solution |
|---|---|
| Office 64-bit installed | Install the 2007 Office System Driver: Data Connectivity Components (32-bit), which includes the required ActiveX control. Use 32-bit Internet Explorer. |
| ActiveX is disabled | Enable ActiveX in Internet Explorer’s settings and add the SharePoint site to Trusted Sites. |
| Using a modern browser or newer SharePoint | Use Quick Edit instead of Datasheet view. Quick Edit is supported in SharePoint 2013 and later. |
| Need legacy Datasheet features | Use third-party tools like SPLegacyDatasheet or configure a virtual machine with compatible software. |
Limitations
- Only works in Internet Explorer 32-bit with ActiveX enabled
- Cannot be customized with CSS or JavaScript
- Not compatible with modern SharePoint features like JSON column formatting
- Custom field types and features like “Append Changes to Existing Text” do not behave reliably
Summary
- The Access Web Datasheet Component is a legacy feature tied to Internet Explorer and 32-bit Office.
- It’s useful for bulk editing in classic SharePoint environments but is not supported in modern SharePoint Online or recent browsers.
- The modern replacement is Quick Edit, which uses HTML5 and JavaScript instead of ActiveX.
Let me know if you’d like help determining compatibility with your current SharePoint setup or guidance on enabling the feature.