File extension MDB
| File type | Microsoft Access Database Format |
| Developer | Microsoft |
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What is a MDB file?
Files with the .MDB extension contain databases – their structure consisting of tables and fields as well as the data they contain, including their relations; the files can also contain saved forms for data entry, queries, procedures, reports, and safety settings. It is a file that is unique to the Microsoft Access software. The Access software is part of the Microsoft Office suite and is available only for Windows-family systems, though not part of all of the system’s versions. Microsoft Access allows for the creation and integration of databases with the help of graphic tools, as well as for the creation of network-based software based on said databases, which can then be shared via the Office 365 client or on a MS SharePoint server.
MDB files can be imported by other programs, such as Mathematica or Visual Studio, and Access also allows for exporting into another format, namely ACCDB.
Program(s) that can open the .MDB file
Windows
Mac OS
Linux
How to open MDB files
If you cannot open the MDB file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports MDB among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the MDB file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the MDB format files
The inability to open and operate the MDB file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the Microsoft Access Database Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a MDB file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the MDB file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the MDB from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the MDB format
- The MDB file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the MDB file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a MDB file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the MDB file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the MDB file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the MDB file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
Similar extensions
| .abs | Absolute Database Single-file Database Format |
| .accdb | Microsoft Access 2007/2010 Database Format |
| .accdc | Microsoft Access 2007/2010 Digitally Signed Database Format |
| .accde | Microsoft Access 2007/2010 Compiled Execute Only Format |
| .accdr | Microsoft Access 2007/2010 Runtime Mode Database Format |
| .accdt | Microsoft Access 2007/2010 Database Template Format |
| .accdw | Microsoft Access Link Format |
| .accft | Microsoft Access Template Format |
This extension
can be converted to:
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.MDB) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected MDB file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the MDB file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. MDB) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.