How to Convert MDB to ACCDB Format? Complete Guide

If you have an old Access database file that you want to use now, then converting it into the latest format first is the only way to open and use it. And that is why, we are here with a blog post containing solutions that you can use to convert MBD files to ACCDB format. In this blog, we will discuss all possible solutions to convert access MDB to ACCDB format. We will explain various manual solutions and an expertly chosen solution to accomplish the task in an efficient and hassle-free manner. So, keep reading this blog post till the end to see which of the following solutions fits your requirements.

MS Access is a renowned application for storing data in an organized manner and analyzing it. As the new versions of the MS Access release, they come along with new extra features that enhance the performance and provide more security. The Access Database files can be found in two different file extensions; .mdb and .accdb. This is because the earlier versions of the application used the MDB format to store the data whereas the new versions use the ACCDB format for doing so.

The MS Access 2003 and before versions used the MDB format to store and analyze data. On the other hand, MS Access 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007 store data in the ACCDB format. So, if you have an old MS Access file then it is most likely to be stored in .mdb format. Consequently, as stated above, it cannot be used in the latest versions of MS Access. Therefore, if you are upgrading to a newer or latest version of MS Access then you must convert MDB to ACCDB format.

Convert MDB to ACCDB in a Hassle-Free Way

There are numerous solutions that you can opt for converting MDB to ACCDB file format. In this blog, we have shared both manual methods as well as an automated one. However, there is no direct manual method to convert your .mdb file into .accdb format. The manual workarounds shared here come with various limitations that make them an unsatisfactory choice for users as well as professionals. Hence, to convert your MDB to ACCDB without access, the expert-recommended choice is to go for an automated solution. So, without any further delay, let us dive into the solution shared.

Manually Convert Access 2000/2002/2003 files to .accdb Format

Follow the instructions provided below to accomplish the task using this manual approach. Keep in mind that these steps are only applicable for MS Access 2000/2002 and 2003 versions.

1. Open the MS Access application on your system.
2. On the Menu bar, click File >> Open.
3. Now, click on either Access 2000 or Access 2002/2003 .mdb file you want to convert.
4. Next, click on File >> Save As >> Save Database as
5. Then, select the (.accdb) format from the list and click on Save As
6. Upon doing that, a dialogue box will open, name your file, and click the Save option.
7. This will create a copy of your .mdb file and open the resultant file automatically. Moreover, it will close the original database file first.

So, this is the manual method to convert MDB to ACCDB file format for Access 2000, 2002, or 2003 MDB files. If you want the manual procedure for Access 97 database (.mdb) file conversion to .accdb file, then check out the next segment.

Convert Access 97 .mdb files with A Manual Approach

Here are the steps to follow to convert Access 97 MDB to ACCDB file format. Follow these given steps carefully to avoid data loss.

1. In MS Access 2010, navigate to the File tab and click the Open option
2. Next, select and open the .mdb file you want to convert.
3. This will open the Database Enhancement dialogue box, click Yes.
4. Upon doing this, Access creates a copy of the .mdb file in .accdb format and closes the original database automatically.

So, this is how you can convert your Access 97 MDB files into ACCDB format following a manual approach. However, both of the above-mentioned manual procedures have certain shortcomings that make these solutions least preferred among users and professionals to convert MDB to ACCDB. The stated limitations and drawbacks are as follows.

• It is a lengthy and time taking method, users tend to avoid this to save time.
• This method is MS Access dependent. You should have the application installed on your system beforehand.
• Users must pay extreme caution while following the steps to manual procedures as one single error may lead to data loss.
• There are numerous manual workaround methods for different MS Access versions instead of just a single direct one for easier understanding.

All these limitations make these approaches undesirable among users and experts. To tackle and overcome these shortcomings, technical professionals suggest using an automated solution. Check out the next segment for more details on that.

Professional Way to Convert MDB to ACCDB Format

If you are looking for a method that is free from MS Access dependence i.e. to convert Access MDB to ACCDB without Access, then this solution is for you. The SysTools Access Converter Tool is the most favored utility by numerous technical professionals to convert MDB to ACCDB in a secure and reliable manner. This splendid software is packed with several enhanced features that make it superior to all the other solutions.

Download Now Purchase Now

Astonishing Features of the Utility

• Converts MDB files in ACCDB, XLS, and CSV.
• Also supports converting corrupted MDB files without any issues.
• Recovers deleted data of MDB database files
• Can also convert the recovered deleted data of MDB files.
• Provides options to convert both schema and data or only schema.
• Supports all versions and editions of Windows OS.

So, these are the remarkable features of this utility. Now, let’s move on to the steps to use it.

Steps to Use the Utility

1. Install and launch the MDB to ACCDB Converter on your system.
2. Click on Browse to select the MDB files you want to convert.
   
3. Preview your loaded MDB files in the software preview panel.
4. Click on Recover to recover the deleted data in the loaded MDB file/s.
   
5. Click Export and choose from the provided options as per your requirements.
6. Lastly, click Export/Save to finalize your choices and initiate the process.
   

And that is all! Follow the above-mentioned steps to convert MDB to ACCDB in a hassle-free way.

Conclusion

In this article on “Convert MDB File to ACCDB Format”, we discussed numerous methods on how to accomplish the task. We shared an automated solution as well as several manual methods. However, manual solutions tend to come along with certain drawbacks that make them an undesirable option for users and technical experts. Hence, to maintain the security of data and to achieve great results through a reliable process, the above-mentioned professional solution is recommended.