Lotus Notessql 2.06 Driver Download [upd] May 2026
The Lotus NotesSQL 2.06 driver is a legacy ODBC driver used to query Lotus Notes databases (.nsf files) using SQL. Because this specific version dates back to the late 1990s, it is no longer available through official modern support channels like HCL or IBM. Download Options
Official Archive: A version 2.0x driver (specifically nsqlw32.exe for Windows 32-bit) can be found in the IBM Public FTP Archive. This is a direct repository of legacy Lotus software components.
Third-Party Aggregators: Sites like Software Informer list the driver for download, but use caution with non-official sources. Important Compatibility Notes
32-bit Limitation: NotesSQL 2.06 is a 32-bit driver. If you are using it on a 64-bit Windows system, it will not appear in the standard ODBC Data Source Administrator. You must use the 32-bit ODBC Administrator located at C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe.
Pathing Issues: The driver cannot handle spaces in file paths. If your notes.ini or database is in a folder like C:\Program Files\, you must use the Windows 8.3 shorthand (e.g., C:\PROGRA~1\Lotus\Notes). lotus notessql 2.06 driver download
User Authentication: You may need to use the "NotesSQL Authentication List Manager" (Nsql_ALM.exe) found in the installation folder to authorize specific Notes user IDs to access the driver. Modern Alternatives
If you are working with newer versions of Notes/Domino (v9.0 or later), the driver was rebranded as the IBM ODBC Driver for Notes/Domino. While HCL has removed these from public download, customers with support extensions can still request them via the HCL Support Portal.
Are you trying to connect a specific application, like Excel or SQL Server, to your Notes database?
The Lotus NotesSQL 2.06 driver is a legacy ODBC driver used to connect SQL-based applications to Lotus Notes/Domino databases. Since this version is extremely old (dating back to around 2001), official IBM or HCL download links are no longer active Download Options Legacy FTP Archives The Lotus NotesSQL 2
: You may still find files in public IBM directories, such as the IBM Public Software Archive
, though specific 2.x versions may be buried in subdirectories. Modern Alternatives : For current systems, it is highly recommended to use NotesSQL 9.0
(ODBC_ND_9.0_W64_EN.zip), which supports 64-bit architecture and is more compatible with modern Windows environments. OutSystems Feature Overview: Lotus NotesSQL Driver
The NotesSQL driver acts as a bridge, allowing standard SQL queries (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE) to interact with non-relational Lotus Notes (.nsf) data. ODBC Compliance Critical Warnings
: Fully supports Open Database Connectivity standards, making it compatible with tools like Microsoft Excel, Access, and Crystal Reports. Authentication Management : Includes the NotesSQL Authentication List Manager
, which allows administrators to map specific Notes User IDs to the driver for secure data access. SQL-to-NSF Mapping
: Automatically maps complex Notes data structures (like multi-value fields) into flat relational tables that SQL can understand. Read/Write Access
: Supports both retrieving data for reporting and writing data back into Domino databases. Fortra Support Portal Installation Quick-Start Dependencies
: You must have a Lotus Notes Client or Domino Server installed on the same machine as the driver. Configuration ODBC Data Source Administrator via the Windows Control Panel. System DSN and select the Lotus NotesSQL driver. Point the DSN to your file and the specific database you wish to query. Fortra Support Portal mapping Notes fields to SQL tables once the driver is installed? ODBC driver for Lotus Notes - Tek-Tips
Critical Warnings
- No modern OS support – Unlikely to work on Windows 10/11 64-bit (though 32-bit ODBC admin might load it, stability is poor).
- Security – No TLS/encryption updates; use only in isolated lab environments.
- IBM support ended – Do not use in production without legal/security review.
Version 2.06 Specifics
- Release era: Early 2000s (part of IBM/Lotus Notes/Domino ecosystem).
- Compatible with: Lotus Notes/Domino versions 5.x, 6.x, and possibly 7.x (limited).
- System requirements: Windows 2000, XP, or Server 2003 (32-bit). May run on newer Windows with compatibility mode, but not officially supported.
- Bitness: 32-bit driver (critical: 64-bit applications cannot directly use it).
Purpose of the Driver
- Enables SQL-based access to Lotus Notes databases.
- Maps Notes views and folders to SQL tables.
- Provides read-only access to Notes data for reporting and analytics.
System Requirements
Before downloading and installing the Lotus Notes SQL 2.06 driver, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista
- Lotus Notes Version: Lotus Notes 8.5 or later
- .NET Framework: .NET Framework 4.0 or later
Configuration Steps
- Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator: Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator from the Control Panel.
- Create a New Data Source: Create a new data source by clicking on "Add" and selecting the Lotus Notes SQL 2.06 driver.
- Enter Data Source Information: Enter the data source information, such as the database path and SQL port number.
- Test the Connection: Test the connection to ensure that it is successful.