My Access mde is missing the tool bar

Copper Contributor

Hi, I need to see the design and debug option on an Access database. Unfortunately the tool bar is missing and most options are grayed out. I looks like this after I open the MDE file. What would cause this? I'm assuming it's a permission issue but I don't know how to remedy this. Thanks, Mark

 

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3 Replies
looks like this after I open the MDE file

A mde is compiled without souce codes.
Try press SHIFT while open the .mde file.


https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/allowbypasskey-property-30ab5c36-51df-41a0-a955-b0f1deac5...
This is by design. An MDE is a compiled database. There is nothing to design or debug.
Well, that's not exactly true: you can design queries, but you cannot design forms, reports, modules.
If you need to make such changes, get the MDB, make the changes, and distribute again using MDE (see File > Save As). You may also want to consider upgrading to ACCDB/ACCDE, since MDB format is out of style since 2007.
If you are using the full version of Access, you might want to check your options setting.

File - Options - Current Database - Navigation - Display Navigation Pane.