
Manually compact and repair a database that is not open
- Make sure no other users are currently using the database file.
- Start Access.
- In Access 2013, Access 2016, and Access 2019: On the templates page, double-click Blank Database. ...
- Select Database Tools > Compact and Repair Database.
- In the Database to Compact From dialog box, navigate to and double-click the database that you want to compact and repair.
How do I repair or compact an access database?
Close and reopen the database for the option to take effect. Select File > Info > Compact & Repair Database. Access creates a copy of the compacted and repaired database in the same location. Use this procedure when you can't directly open an Access database.
What to do if compact and repair fails to work?
If the Compact and Repair utility fails to repair the database or the data in compacted and repaired database is missing, use an advanced Access database repair tool. Stellar Repair for Access is one such tool that can repair a severely corrupted ACCDB or MDB database file without any data loss.
Where does the compacted and repaired file get saved?
A copy of the compacted and repaired file will get saved in the exact location as your original database. If the Compact and Repair utility fails to repair the database or the data in compacted and repaired database is missing, use an advanced Access database repair tool.
How do I make a database compact in access?
Double-click on Blank desktop database. This will open a blank Access database screen. Click on File. In the screen that appears, click Close. Click Database Tools from the toolbar and then select Compact and Repair Database from the Tools section. A ‘Database to Compact From’ dialog box opens.

How do I compact and repair an Access database without opening it?
Manually applying Compact and Repair on Closed Databases Launch the Ms Access application, without opening the database you want to repair. Press Microsoft Office Button. Point towards Manage and select Manage this Database. Click on Compact and Repair Database option.
Why can I compact and repair Access database?
0:003:16How to Compact and Repair a Database in MS Access - Office 365YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOption if you want to automatically compact and repair a database when it is closed setting thisMoreOption if you want to automatically compact and repair a database when it is closed setting this option affects only the database that is currently open on the ribbon.
What is compacting in Access?
Compacting allows Access to rearrange the data by filling in the space left behind by the deleted objects.
How long does compact and repair take?
Restore your database files easily in only 15 minutes: Download the free database repair and recovery software demo now to evaluate the recovery capabilities of the program. Once AccessFIX demo is installed you will easily recover your database file and view the results with only a few clicks.
How do I fix a corrupted Access database?
Open the Access application. Select the Database Tools tab. Then click the Compact and Repair Database option on the tab. A Database to Compact From window will then open from which you can select a database file to repair.
How do I clean up my Access database?
microsoft access : maintaining your databaseIt's Clean-Up Time! Admit it. ... But First, a Few Warnings. You should only attempt these recommendations if you are the administrator of the Access database. ... Back Up the Database. ... Compact the File. ... Remove Empty/Bogus Records. ... Purge Old Data.
What is compact and repair?
You can use the Compact and Repair Database command to prevent or fix these problems. The compact process does not compress your data — it makes your database file smaller by eliminating unused space. The Compact and Repair Database command can also help improve performance of your database.
How do you compact Microsoft Access?
Select File > Options. In the Access Options dialog box, select Current Database. Under Application Options, select the Compact on Close check box. Select OK.
What is database compaction?
Database compaction compresses the database file by removing unused file sections created during updates. Old documents revisions are replaced with small amount of metadata called tombstone which are used for conflicts resolution during replication.
What is the difference between a single compact and a compact close?
Being "closed" is a property of a subset of a topological space, while being "compact" is a property of a topological space itself.
What is stellar repair for Access?
Stellar Repair for Access software fixes corrupt or damaged Microsoft Access files and saves the repaired database files to their default or a user-specified location. The tool seamlessly repairs corrupt MDB files as well as corrupt ACCDB files of the damaged MS Access database.
How to Compact and Repair Access Database without Opening?
The MS Access built-in ‘Compact and Repair’ tool helps in reducing database file size and repairing the corrupted file. If you can’t open your Access database due to corruption, follow these steps to compact and repair it:
What to do if compact and repair fails?
If the Compact and Repair utility fails to repair the database or the data in compacted and repaired database is missing, use an advanced Access database repair tool. Stellar Repair for Access is one such tool that can repair a severely corrupted ACCDB or MDB database file without any data loss.
What happens when an Access database file is corrupted?
When an Access database file turns corrupt or gets damaged, you may have a problem opening the database. Also, you may encounter errors while accessing an ACCDB or MDB file, preventing you from using the database and bringing your work to a halt. To regain access to the database, you can try compacting and repairing it.
How to compact a database?
A ‘Database to Compact From’ dialog box opens. In this dialog box, browse and select the database that needs to be compacted and repaired. Click Compact.
Why is my Access database corrupt?
When Microsoft Access database (ACCDB/MDB) files become large-sized, it may result in slow database performance and even corruption. Also, hardware or software failure, using databases with VBA module, and adding or deleting data in MEMO fields are a few other factors that may lead to Access database corruption.
Can you restore a corrupted database in Access?
Take a backup of the corrupted database: While performing the repair process, MS Access may remove damaged data from tables that you can recover from the backup. Also, having a backup of your database before compacting and repairing it ensures that you can use the backup if the database is further damaged.
What happens when you compact and repair an Access file?
During the process of compacting and repairing, Access can discard tables, forms, and other objects that are damaged or are in an inconsistent state. These objects will not be added to the repaired file.
When is compact and repair applied?
Once started, Compact and Repair will be applied immediately to the current database with no hint once the operation is completed. You will just be editing the new repaired database.
What to do if database still has errors?
If the database still has errors, one way to fix them, which gives good results, is importing all objects from a new database . You can try the procedure both before or after using Compact and Repair to see which one gives you the best results.
What to do when Access database is failing?
When an Access database is failing, Microsoft recommends applying Compact and Repair to fix all of the errors. However, the repair is not always completed without complications, and you may be left faced with one of the following 3 problems: An error prevents you from even starting to make repairs.
Why does Access fail to import objects?
Import all objects to clean a database with errors. During the import, Access may fail to import some objects because they are damaged. The problem objects will be lost and will not be included in the final database. On the positive side, the resulting file will generally be in good condition.
What does "access is unable to do anything with the file" mean?
This error means that the main structure of the database is damaged to such an extent that Access is unable to do anything with the file, not even opening it to be repaired.
What happens if a table disappears after compacting?
If your objects or tables have disappeared after compacting, it's possible that they are still there but not visible although they'll most likely be lost.
When are databases repaired and compacted?
Databases are repaired and compacted when one opens and closes them interactively. Linked or back-end database which are not opened interactively should be repaired and compacted in other way. Repairing and compacting would require exclusive access to database.
How to compact database in Access 2013?
This option can be selected from Database Tool Ribbon. OR from the File menu Select Info then click Compact and Repair Database button at the right end.
How to repair a database in Access?
It can be manually repair and compact a database by opening in Microsoft Access and from the menu select Compact and Repair command. This saves the time and effort by configuring the database to configure and repair itself, each and every time one closes the database.
Why is Microsoft Access database repair required?
Microsoft Access or Jet Database requires a routine maintenance, so that it ensures integrity, efficiency and reliability. Repairing and Compacting an access or jet database will do the following: Organizes and Consolidates data pages, recover space by using deleting and renaming objects.
Why does Microsoft Access require routine maintenance?
Microsoft Access or Jet Database requires a routine maintenance, so that it ensures integrity, efficiency and reliability. Repairing and Compacting an access or jet database will do the following:
Why is Access important?
Access allows you to compact and repair a database automatically whenever the database is closed. This can prevent performance or file from corruption problems.
