> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://nolongerset.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 3 Ways to Find sqlout.txt - URL: https://nolongerset.com/finding-sqlout-txt/ - Published: 2022-03-03T03:11:57.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-08T12:59:20.000Z - Description: Finding ODBC TraceSQLMode's sqlout.txt file can be deceptively difficult. Here are three approaches to make it easy. At least one is guaranteed to work. - Author: Mike Wolfe - Tags: Tools, SQL Server, #Import 2026-05-20 02:59 Microsoft Access comes with an ODBC tracing tool known as [ODBC TraceSQLMode](https://accessexperts.com/blog/2021/12/15/access-odbc-data-sources-part-1/). To enable this tool, you first need to [make some changes to your registry](https://nolongerset.com/procmon-troubleshoot-registry-calls/). Once that's done, Microsoft Access will start logging query plans to a file named `sqlout.txt`. Actually *finding* the `sqlout.txt` file, though, can be deceptively hard. Read below for three techniques–in order from simplest to most reliable–that will take all the guesswork out of finding the `sqlout.txt` file. ## Check Your *Documents* Folder The first place to check is in your user profile's `\Documents\` folder. That's typically where the `sqlout.txt` file is created. However, that's not always the case. Furthermore, sometimes there is a `sqlout.txt` file there from a previous session. The current `sqlout.txt` file could be located somewhere else. > **TIP!** Always check the Modified Date on the `sqlout.txt` file to make sure you are looking at the right one. ## Use the *CurDir* Function Open Microsoft Access then go to the Immediate Window (\[Ctrl\] + \[G\]). Run the [CurDir() function](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/language/reference/user-interface-help/curdir-function) to output the current working directory: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/02/image-45.png) The current directory is often–but not always!–your user profile's *Documents* folder. If you open the outputted path in File Explorer, you should see the `sqlout.txt` file there. Keep in mind that your Access application's startup code could potentially change this path. So, while it's more reliable than the first method, it's still not foolproof. ## Search with *Everything* I love [Everything](https://nolongerset.com/everything-you-need-to-find-files/). If you can't find `sqlout.txt` using either of the previous methods, I *guarantee* this one will work for you. It has the added bonus of introducing you to the Everything utility which has been a complete game changer for my daily workflow. 1. Search for `sqlout.txt` 2. Sort by "Date Modified" in descending order ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/03/image-13.png) The screenshot above is from one of my development machines. As you can see, the `sqlout.txt` file appears in two different locations. So, while the TraceSQLMode output *usually* goes to my Documents folder, that's not always the case. ## Still Can't Find `sqlout.txt`? If you tried all three of the above techniques and you still can't find the `sqlout.txt` file, then it means the problem is probably in the Windows Registry where you have to enable the feature in the first place. Don't worry, though, I've got you covered there, too. You can use a different Windows utility–Process Monitor–to figure out *exactly* which registry entry you need to set to enable ODBC TraceSQLMode. I cover all of those details in my article, [*Using ProcMon to Troubleshoot Registry Calls*](https://nolongerset.com/procmon-troubleshoot-registry-calls/). One final note: if you have to enable ODBC TraceSQLMode in the registry, that setting won't take effect until after you exit and restart Microsoft Access. --- ### External references [**How does Access talk to ODBC data sources? Part 1**](https://accessexperts.com/blog/2021/12/15/access-odbc-data-sources-part-1/), by Ben Clothier ### Referenced articles [Using ProcMon to Troubleshoot Registry CallsFinding the correct registry keys for JetShowPlan and ODBC TraceSqlMode can be tricky. Let ProcMon take the guesswork out of the process.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2022/02/needle-1419606_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/procmon-troubleshoot-registry-calls/) [Everything You Need to Find FilesOr, should I say, You Need \*Everything\* to Find Files.![](https://nolongerset.com/favicon.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/eb/d7/ebd732c1-5f03-4f07-b386-5d08557e15c9/content/images/2021/02/2021-02-12-15_05_26-GBM18-Window.png)](https://nolongerset.com/everything-you-need-to-find-files/)