---
id: mssql-python-odbc
version: "18.6.2.1"
license: Other/Proprietary License
license_treatment: unclear
maintenance: active
---

# mssql-python-odbc — Internal implementation package for mssql-python: Microsoft ODBC Driver 18 for SQL Server binaries. Not intended for direct use.

License: unclear · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 504.9K/mo

## What it is and what it does

This package is a data-only wheel that distributes the Microsoft ODBC Driver 18 for SQL Server binaries and their runtime dependencies across multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux). It exists to decouple binary distribution from the main driver package, allowing the parent to declare a pinned dependency and load these binaries automatically at runtime.

This package is explicitly not intended for direct installation. It carries medium install friction due to its platform-specific wheel distribution and requires Python >=3.10. The package is actively maintained, with recent releases and an active repository.

Use it for:

- Providing platform-specific ODBC driver binaries for Windows, macOS, and Linux architectures in a modular, separately-versioned package.
- Enabling the parent package to decouple driver updates from its own release cycle by managing binaries independently.
- Ensuring reproducible, pinned ODBC driver versions across installations by separating binary distribution from the main driver package.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Provides platform-specific Microsoft ODBC Driver 18 binaries for SQL Server connectivity as an internal implementation package.

No—do not install directly. This is an internal implementation package. It is managed as a dependency by the parent package and should not be installed standalone. Direct installation offers no benefit and may cause runtime issues.

## Install

pip install mssql-python-odbc
uv add mssql-python-odbc
poetry add mssql-python-odbc

## Installing mssql-python-odbc

Before you install: Medium install friction due to platform-specific binary wheels across multiple architectures. Actively maintained with recent releases; however, this is an internal implementation package not meant for direct use.

License in practice: Redistributes proprietary Microsoft binaries under unclear license terms. License text ships in wheel metadata, but the 'Other/Proprietary License' classification lacks SPDX clarity. Review the included license files before use in proprietary or restricted contexts.

Quickstart:

# This package is not intended for direct installation.
# It is an internal dependency managed automatically by the parent package.
# See documentation at https://github.com/microsoft/mssql-python

Requires Python >=3.10. This package is not intended for direct use; it is an internal implementation package.

Verify before relying:

- Whether direct installation of this package (bypassing the parent) is supported or will cause runtime issues.
- Specific license restrictions or obligations imposed by the Microsoft ODBC Driver and Visual C++ Redistributable licenses.
- Compatibility with specific SQL Server versions or Azure SQL configurations beyond the driver version.

## Package facts

- License: Other/Proprietary License (unclear)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: medium
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 504.9K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

sql server odbc driver python, odbc driver 18 binaries, microsoft odbc driver wheels, sql server python binaries, platform-specific odbc wheels, odbc-driver, internal-dependency

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