Compact and Repair Access Database (2023 Full Guide)

Access database file size grows quickly with the regular use. This eventually affects the performance of your database or irregularly turns it to get corrupted. However, you can opt for the Compact and Repair Access Database to stop or fix such problems and improve the performance of your Access database.

To know more about this Access inbuilt tool (Compact and Repair) or how to use it, read this post without skipping a single stanza.

Workable Ways

Step-By-Step Guide

1- Compact & Repair Database Automatically When It Closes

On File tab, go to Options >> Access OptionsFull steps

2- Compact and Repair Access Database File That Is Open

Select File option >> Info >> click on the Compact & Repair Database.Full steps

3- Manually Compact & Repair the Database That’s Not Open

Start Access. Go to templates page >> double-click on Blank Database. Choose the File option Full steps
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Essential Things to Do Before Starting the Compact and Repair Process

Before you initiate the process of Compact & Repair, it is necessary to perform the below actions:

  • Don’t forget to create a proper backup of your corrupted Access database. Repairing the corrupt database using this tool can remove the information from tables.
  • Another important thing you have to do is to check for the required permissions to compact & repair an Access database. However, if you do not have the required file permissions, immediately get help from the admin of your system.
  • Ensure that nobody uses your Access database file while you initiate running the compact & repair operation. Otherwise, the repair process might get disrupted.

Note: Before you start with the process, it is suggested that you must keep the backup of your database files that you are going to compact and repair.

How To Compact and Repair Access Database?

In this section, you will find 4 ways for compacting & repairing a database according to different circumstances.

1- Compact & Repair Database Automatically When It Closes

If you want to repair the Access database when it closes, you can choose ‘Compact on Close’. For this, simply set the option ‘Compact on Close’ by following the below steps:

Please Note: Don’t set the option ‘Compact on Close’ in multiuser Access databases. This is because it can lead to database unavailability.

  • On File tab, go to Options.

  • Under the dialog box of Access Options, choose Current Database.
  • In Application Options, choose the check box named “Compact on Close” >> select OK option.

Compact and Repair Access Database

  • Finally, close & reopen your database to take effect of this option.

2- Compact and Repair Access Database File That Is Open

When you open a database file that’s corrupted, you’re provoked to allow Access repair files manually. You can run the Compact and Repair tool to resolve database file corruption.

Here are the easy steps that you need to follow for compacting and repairing Access database file that is open:

  • Select File option >> Info.
  • After this, click on the Compact & Repair Database.

Compact and Repair Access Database

Now, the Access generates a compacted & repaired database copy in the identical location.

3- Manually Compact & Repair the Database That’s Not Open

The below steps will help you to Compact and Repair Access database without opening it.

Step 1- Ensure first no other user is currently using your database file.

Step 2- Start Access.

Step 3- In the Access 2013/2016/2019:

  1. Go to templates page and then double-click on Blank Database
  2. Choose the File option >> Close.

Step 4- Choose the Database Tools and then Compact and Repair Database.

Database Tools 

Step 5- From the Database to Compact dialog box, you have to navigate to & double-click a database you need to compact & repair.

Finally, the Access generates a compacted & repaired database copy in the identical location.

How To Repair Corrupted Access Database without Compact & Repair?

Most of the times, it happens that the compact and repair Access Database fails to repair Access database file. In such a situation, it is recommended to go for the Access Repair And Recovery Tool.

This is the most appropriate tool for fixing up any corruption issue that occurred in your Access Database.

* By clicking the Download button above and installing Stellar Repair for Access (14.8 MB), I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy of this site.

Apart from that, it is one of the best ways to get rid of any kind of errors and restore your damaged database without using any backup.

Steps To Repair And Recover MS Access Database:

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Related FAQs:

What Does Compact and Repair Do in MS Access?

The Compact and Repair Database helps to fix the errors and issues in MS Access and improve the performance of your database.

How Long Does Compact and Repair Take Access?

Compact and Repair Database repairs and restores the database file within 15 minutes only.

How Do You Run a Compact and Repair Tool in Access?

To run a Compact and Repair tool in the MS Access, you have to follow the below steps:

  • Select File option >> Info.
  • After this, click on the Compact & Repair Database.

To Sum Up:

So, this is all about how to compact and repair Access database. You can try this inbuilt MS Access tool to repair corrupt Access Database before trying any other fixes.

But in case, it won’t work for your Access Database issues then also you have the option i.e Access Repair And Recovery Tool.

Last but not the least, if you liked this post, don’t forget to share it with others.

tip Still having issues? Fix them with this Access repair tool:

This software repairs & restores all ACCDB/MDB objects including tables, reports, queries, records, forms, and indexes along with modules, macros, and other stuffs effectively.

  1. Download Stellar Repair for Access rated Great on Cnet (download starts on this page).
  2. Click Browse and Search option to locate corrupt Access database.
  3. Click Repair button to repair & preview the database objects.

Pearson Willey is a website content writer and long-form content planner. Besides this, he is also an avid reader. Thus he knows very well how to write an engaging content for readers. Writing is like a growing edge for him. He loves exploring his knowledge on MS Access & sharing tech blogs.