OPENROWSET on an Excel file gave: The OLE DB provider “Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0” for linked server “(null)” reported an error. Access denied. Here is the fix.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – Small Backup for Large Database
A client’s 900 GB database made a backup of under 300 MB, and they feared data was missing. Here is what explained the small backup for a large database.
How to Start Database in a Single User Mode? – Interview Question of the Week #202
How do you start a database in a single user mode when there is corruption? Here are simple steps in SQL Server Configuration Manager, one by one.
SQL SERVER – What is the Meaning of PREEMPTIVE_HTTP_EVENT_WAIT? How to Fix it?
I blocked internet access on my Azure SQL Server VM with an outbound rule and started seeing PREEMPTIVE_HTTP_EVENT_WAIT. Here is one possible cause of this wait.
Find the Oldest Query Plan in the Plan Cache
To find the oldest query plan in the plan cache, sort sys.dm_exec_query_stats by creation_time. This post tests the idea on a demo with three procedures, compares the oldest plan with the server start time, and lists what clears the plan cache.
SQL SERVER – SQL Server Agent Missing in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
A client could not see the SQL Server Agent node, it was missing in SQL Server Management Studio. Here are the possible causes, starting with sysadmin rights.
Tagging Personal Data Columns With ADD SENSITIVITY CLASSIFICATION
Add sensitivity classification to reviewed columns, inspect stored labels, and keep discovery separate from encryption and access controls.
SQL Server slow? Let's fix it together in about four hours.
In my Comprehensive Database Performance Health Check, you share your screen, I guide you, and we fix your biggest performance troublemakers. No passwords. No remote access.
You keep every script, and the know-how to fix it yourself next time.
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Who We Are
Pinal Dave is an SQL Server Performance Tuning Expert and independent consultant with over 24 years of hands-on experience. He holds a Masters of Science degree and numerous database certifications.
Pinal has authored 19 books and 125 Pluralsight courses. To freely share his knowledge and help others build their expertise, Pinal has also written more than 5,800 database tech articles on his blog at https://blog.sqlauthority.com.
Pinal is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) and CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2).
Nupur Dave is a social media enthusiast and an independent consultant. She primarily focuses on the database domain, helping clients build short and long-term multi-channel campaigns to drive leads for their sales pipeline.
Shaivi Pinalkumar Dave is a book author and a women’s artistic gymnast.

