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How to Convert MDB to ACCDB File Format? The Complete Solution

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Published By Deepa Pandey
Ashwani Tiwari
Approved By Ashwani Tiwari
Published On March 29th, 2024
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading
Category MS Access

If you are looking for how to convert MDB to ACCDB file, then your search ends here. Actually, MS Access is used as the database management system which is launched by Microsoft in 1997. It is used for different purposes like managing accounts, bills, website databases, and many more.

As Microsoft improves its software regularly then MS Access was also updated continuously. The earlier version of MS Access uses the .mdb file format for the database. But after some improvements, Microsoft decide to change the file format from .mdb to .accdb in 2003. So the versions of MS Access from 1997 to 2003 were compatible with the .mdb file. But the versions 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and the latest version 2021 are only compatible with the .accdb file.

If you are an old user of MS Access then you might be working with the old version of MS Access and .mdb file. But if you want to move up your MS Access then you should convert MDB to ACCDB file format.

Table Of Content

Conversion of MDB to ACCDB File in an Easy Way

After reviewing the need for conversion of the MDB file format to the ACCDB file format. It’s time to find the solution. Basically, you can convert the .mdb file to .accdb file format in distinct ways. Manual ways are also there and professional way is also there. The manual way is only applicable to the MS Access software. But the professional way is not depending on MS Access. Let’s elaborate on the manual way first. How it can convert .mdb to .accdb file format?

Manually Convert the .mdb File of MS Access 97 to .accdb File

If you are working with the first version of MS Access that is 1997 then follow these steps to get your task done.

  • In MS Access 2010, Click on the File and then choose the Open option.
  • After the Open select the .mdb file which you want to convert to .accdb file format.
  • Now Database Enhancement dialog box is opened, Hit on the Yes option.
  • Now the application creates a copy of the previous database in the .accdb file format and switches to the newly created file. So, this convert MDB to ACCDB file already in use.

These steps are only applicable to Outlook version 97. They are not for the other versions of MS Access. Let’s find the manual way to convert .mdb to .accdb for MS Access after 97 versions till 2003.

Manually Convert the Database File of MS Access 2000/2002/2003 Versions

If you are sticking to the MS Access 2000, 2002, or 2003 and want to upgrade to the newer version of Access then follow these steps:-

  • Open the Access application.
  • Go to File >> Open.
  • Now click on the database file of .mdb format which you want to upgrade to .accdb file.
  • Next, choose File and Save As.
  • Select the .accdb format and click on Save As.
  • After that, a dialog box will open to enter the Name of the file as per your choice.
  • After setting the name of the file, hit on Save.
  • Now your .accdb file is created and the original file is closed automatically.

Now you are aware of the manual way to convert MDB to ACCDB file format. There is a different scenario for the Access version of 97 and after that till 2003. But there are some common limitations for both scenarios. Let’s take a look at it.

Limitations of Manual Way

There are multiple limitations while working with the manual way to convert the .mdb file to the .accdb file.

  • It is a time taking process. Manually converting the database file formats is a time-consuming task.
  • You have to be careful while using the manual way for file conversion. If there is any step that is misjudged then it creates a problem for your database.
  • There might be the chances of data loss in a manual way if the process stops in between due to any error.
  • The manual way is only applicable in MS Access. You have to install Access on your system to convert MDB to ACCDB file.

After examining the limitations of the manual way. It is quite confusing to choose this way or not. Now, it’s time to introduce the Professional way which fulfills all of the limitations of the manual way during the conversion of database files. Your data will be secure during the whole process.

Professionally Convert the .mdb File to .acdb File Quickly

The professional approach is widely used to convert MDB to ACCDB using a tool. It is the expert-recommended approach because it is performed with the help of the SoftwarePro Access Converter Tool which is known as MDB to ACCDB converter. This tool is very easy to operate. You can just operate it by drag and drop operations. You can download this tool on any version of Windows.

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It is solely performed. As the manual way is not having advanced features, this tool is fully packed with all required features. You do not need to worry about the version of MS Access, it is compatible with all versions whether it is an earlier or latest version. It can convert MDB to ACCDB without access. You can also export Access to Excel whenever required. Let’s see the features:-

  • You can convert your database file into multiple formats such as .accdb, Excel, and CSV.
  • Corrupted database files can also be converted easily.
  • The whole data will be converted into the file without any loss.
  • There are multiple filters while exporting the database file.
  • Compatible with all MS Access versions.

Steps that Should Follow to Convert MDB to ACCDB File Format:-

  • Download and open the converter.
  • Use the Browse button to select the required file for the conversion.

convert mdb to accdb

  • Click on the Recover button to start the process of recovering and Close after the process ends.

converting the mdb to accdb

  • After the process of recovery, all of the tables will be placed on the left.

mdb file to accdb file

  • Now click on the Export button and choose Access Converter.

converting file mdb to accdb file format

  • After clicking on the Export button, you can choose Only Schema, Schema & Data, or Export Deleted Record for the exporting of the file format.

mdb to accdb using tool

  • Now click on Export/Save and the process starts and then ok.

convert mdb to accdb without access

Conclusion

Here, you got a complete explanation to convert MDB to ACCDB programmatically or without programmatically. Both of the ways are discussed in a clear manner. The manual way has some shortfalls like no surety of data loss, not having so many advanced filters, and so on. Due to these reasons, the manual approach is not recommended.

The professional way has been discussed clearly, and how it is fulfilling all of the shortfalls of the manual way. This MDB to ACCDB converter is free to download. Due to some advanced filters and having a proper guide to execute all steps in a sequenced manner, It is recommended by the experts. Now your query of How to convert MDB to ACCDB is resolved.