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Copper Contributor

Jun 05, 2022

Opening a .mdb file

Hi. I havea .mdb file that I need to open. When I try to open it using MS access 2003 or 2007, I get "unrecognized database format.." error. I do not know what version was used to create that file. I...

Steel Contributor

Jun 06, 2022

whether the db was created in Old or New version of MS Access, you can view the data using Excel.
Use Data->Get Data->From Database, and select your .mdb.

isladogs
MVP
Jun 06, 2022
arnel_gp
I believe modern versions of Excel have the same limitations as Access. Anything created before A2000 cannot be opened. Just tested with valid A95 & A97 files

EslamElbyaly
However, if saved as a .txt file you can import it (tested successfully). My advice is:
1. Save a copy as a text file
2. Open in Excel and import as fixed width. Set suitable break points. You will then see much usable data (and lots of junk). For example, see attached screenshot
EslamElbyaly
Copper Contributor
Jun 06, 2022
I do not know which version of office you're referring to, but I tried Excel 2003> Data> Import External Data> Import Data. Then it asks credentials to connect to the database with username Admin set as default with blank password. When I click test connection, it shows "unrecognized database format" error. It worked when I changed the extension to "txt" instead of "mdb" and imported it successfully, but the data are not organized. It spreads data in a number of columns.
- isladogs
  MVP
  Jun 06, 2022
  You cannot import from the MDB file as it is not a valid MDB database file
  As already stated, saving a copy as a .txt file will allow you to import it into either Excel or Access using the fixed width option.
  The data is organised but the usable data is split into several fields as it would have been initially (see my earlier screenshot)
  There are almost 60 fields, most of which you can probably delete after inspecting them yourself

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