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Why will my Access databases not open?

Lucas Hutton 60 Reputation points
2025-08-20T16:29:39.3566667+00:00

I use Microsoft 365. I haven't used Access for a while, and I have a few databases that I now want to use. I launch Access and locate a database in my file system. I click on the filename, and the Access application opens immediately. However, the interface is blank. No error messages of any kind; no tables, queries, forms--just a blank sheet. The same thing happens with databases old and relatively new. I've got some that date to 2001, others that I built last year. What's going on?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | For home | Windows
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  1. Richard Rost 75 Reputation points MVP
    2025-08-30T16:59:27.18+00:00

    It looks like you already found the main issue. Access does not work well with files that are still “online only” in OneDrive. Unlike Word or Excel, it cannot stream a live database, so the file needs to be fully local. That is why choosing “Always keep on this device” solved the blank screen problem.

    The message about blocked active content is normal too. Access will warn you if the file is not in a Trusted Location. If you plan to keep your databases in that folder, add it to your Trusted Locations in Access Options and the warning will go away. Converting older .mdb files to .accdb is also a good idea, since newer versions of Access support that format best.

    And one more important tip: I always recommend in my courses and in my TechHelp videos that you do not run live Access databases out of any shared folder, whether it is OneDrive, Dropbox, or a network share. Those are fine for backup, but your working database should always be on a local drive to avoid corruption and performance problems.

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  1. George Hepworth 22,080 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-20T16:41:46.1366667+00:00

    Let's start with the most common problems.

    Where are the accdbs stored? In what folder are they?
    Also have you designated that folder as a Trusted Location?

    What file format are these Access files? You mention 2001, so those would be .mdb format. Are the newer ones also .mdb, or are they .accdb format?

    Do the files have AutoExec macros in them? Can you start them by holding down the crtl key while they open?

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  2. Duane Hookom 26,525 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-20T19:48:16.99+00:00

    Are you sure you are using the full version of MS Access and not the runtime? Can you create a new database?

  3. Tammy-Ng 4,525 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-08-21T01:32:02.22+00:00

    Hi Lucas Hutton
    Thank you for posting your question in Q&A forum,
    Based on the information you've provided, along with a few points that still need clarification, I'd like to offer some additional suggestions to help identify the best possible solution for you:

    • Have you tried opening the database on a different device or using a different version of Access? If so, did any new errors or issues appear?
    • Older .mdb files (especially those created around 2001) may not be fully compatible with the current version of Access in Microsoft 365. Have you attempted to convert the file format to .accdb?

    Please check and let me know. Any new details you can provide will be key to helping me continue supporting you and finding the most effective resolution. Looking forward to your response, thank you!

  4. Lucas Hutton 60 Reputation points
    2025-08-21T13:54:19.5333333+00:00

    Thank you for your reply. First I'll share some information that may or may not pertain. I run Windows 11 on a MacBook Pro with a Parallels VM. Now to your questions—

    These file live online in a folder in my OneDrive account. Trusted location? I don't recall ever dealing with that question. Not sure how to do that.

    I have both .mdb and .accdb files. The newest ones are .accdb. I'll need to figure out how to convert those older files to the newer format. My chief concern is why even the newer files won't open.

    I have no AutoExec macros in any of these databases.

    I just now tried to launch the newest of my databases by holding down the CTRL key—no joy.

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