Open MDB files

  • Full name
    Microsoft Access Database Format
  • Developer
    Microsoft
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a MDB file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a MDB file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your MDB file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is MDB file?

An MDB file is a database file created using Microsoft Access or a compatible software or interface. Although the Microsoft Access Database (database) format is a proprietary format, Microsoft has since made it partially accessible. Since Access 2007 the extension accdb is used.

More info

Microsoft Access is a relational database application that is widely used worldwide. Access is part of the Microsoft Office suite, but only available for Windows. However, there are other database programs and numerous applications that can handle or use MDB files because MDB databases can also be accessed and generated using the Microsoft Visual Studio programming applications. (eg with Visual C #)

An MDB database file contains not only the pure data, but also the structure (tables and fields), input masks, queries, and database security settings. Mbd files can also contain links to files of other Microsoft Office applications (eg Excel spreadsheets). Unfortunately there are quite a few versions of the MDB format that are not all compatible with each other. Therefore, a converter must be used for import problems.

When reading into foreign programs or converting an MDB file, in most cases "only" the data is obtained. On the other contents like the input masks and so on one must do without normally.

On Mac OS systems, one can use 'actual Tech Access Databases' to set up an interface for accessing other applications on Access databases. (eg for FileMaker)

Programs which can open a MDB file

How to open file with MDB extension?

In order to open a file with MDB extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening MDB file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with MDB files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install MDB Viewer or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening MDB files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support MDB files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of MDB files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set MDB Viewer as the default program for opening MDB files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate MDB files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the MDB Viewer applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where MDB Viewer has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with MDB files

Sometimes problems with opening MDB files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • MDB files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open MDB files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • MDB file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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