Do you want to create your MS Access database as an executable-only file for better security reasons? Creating an executable version of your Microsoft Access database improves security & user experience. Also, it allows you to lock down your Access application, avoid design changes, and streamline usage for end users. In this helpful guide, I will show you how to make MS Access database executable in detailed steps.
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What’s The Need To Make MS Access Database Executable?
Well, if you are planning to share your Access database with multiple users, then save it as an executable–only file, which is the best approach.
An Access database executable file is a database application that gets saved with complete Visual Basic Access (VBA) code compiled. MS Access compiled binary file gets saved with the .accde extension. This binary file doesn’t contain any VBA source code. So, the user can’t make any changes in the design of the object such as reports, macros, or forms in a .accde file.
Whereas in a non-compiled or normal Access database, users are completely free to make any changes in the VBA source code and to modify Access database objects.
How To Make MS Access Database Executable?
Now it’s time to learn how to make MS Access database executable having file format .accde. But before stepping into this, you need to split the Access database. This helps you to share your Access database’s front end to users, keeping the central back–end which stores all your data completely secure.
Steps To Convert Access Database (accdb) to Exe
Follow the steps very carefully to make or convert Access database (accdb) to exe:
Step 1: Make sure you have opened the front-end of your database. Tap to the file tab which is present at the left corner of your Access Database application page. Tapping to this will open the file menu page on your screen.
Step 2: Now choose the Save As option present on the left menu. After the opening of Save Database As window, choose ACCDE and tap to the Save As option.
Steps 3: It’s time to save your Access database executable file. So, for this assign a name to the file, and choose the path for the ACCDE file. At last hit on the Save option.
Also Read: How to Create an Input Mask in Access? – 2025 Guide!
How to Open Access Database Executable File?
After saving up your Access database file in ACCDE format, it’s time to test Access database exe file.
For this, just open your Access executable file in the file explorer. Alternatively, you can also open this executable file from the Access application file menu. Try to make changes in your forms, report, or macro.
Meanwhile, you may get a security warning. This warning message appears because your Access executable file is opened from a non-trusted location.
- If you are getting such security warnings, then click to the Open After the opening of your Access database. Try editing your Access database object in the design view.
- Now from the left navigation pane, right-click on macro, form, report to get its contextual menu. You will notice that the design view option will appear in gray color and disabled to respond.
So it’s clear that you have successfully Convert Access Database to exe.
Note: even in an Access executable file, users can easily edit queries. Users can’t do editing in the Access database table as it is present in the back end of the database.
How to Remove Access Database Executable File Security Warning?
As we have already discussed, the security warning message comes when you try to open the Access database executable file. To remove these warning messages, simply tap to the open option appearing in the security warning pop-up box. You need to do this each time you open the file. After that, only your Access database exe file will open.
An alternative method to remove the security warning altogether is:
- Open your Access executable file and go to the File options from the menu. After that, choose Options from the file menu.
- This will open up the Access Options dialogue box; from here, you have to choose Trust Center.
- After that tap to the Trust Center Settings…
- From the left side menu options, choose the trusted locations. And then hit the add new location…in the main window.
- In the Add the New Location option, you need to enter or browse the location from where you will open up your executable file.
- Tap to the Ok option.
Note:
While performing this, you need to be careful about the location which is added as a trusted location. Instead of setting a complete Document Folder as a trusted location, it’s better to make a subfolder or some dedicated folder for the trusted Access Database.
Well, a folder such as document folder is the default location for files. This contains hundreds of files from different sources, including the downloaded file from the internet. Choosing a folder like this as a trusted location has a higher risk compared to a smaller subfolder as a trusted location.
How to Overcome Access Database Corruption Glitches?
Well, most of the time, it is seen that due to multiple accessing of Access database leads to corruption issue. To deal with such cases, you need to try the Access Database Repair and Recovery solution. It is the best professionally recommended option to repair corrupt/damaged Access databases.
* 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.
With this efficient access database repair program, you can easily repair your corrupt MS Access database in a healthy format without affecting any of its MDB and Accdb files. It also works to recover deleted Tables, Queries, Indexes, Macros, etc., safely and securely from the corrupted MS Access database file without any error.
Steps to Use the MS Access Repair and Recovery Tool
Related FAQs:
How Do I Convert an Access Database to an Executable?
To convert an Access database to an executable, follow the below steps:
- Navigate to File Menu.
- Confirming you’ve the front-end database opened.
- Click the File tab >> select the ACCDE Format.
- Select Save As from the left menu.
- Save the File.
What Is the Executable Name of Access?
MS Office – Executable File Versions is the exe. name of Access.
How To Convert from Microsoft Access .accdb To Executable File for Installation on Any PC?
Frankly speaking, you cannot convert an accdb file to an executable exe file. It means there’s no way to do that.
How Do I Turn a File into an Executable?
To turn a file into an executable:
- Click Notepad. It’s a blue-and-white, notebook-shaped icon at the top of the Start window.
- Enter your EXE’s program code. …
- Click File.
- After that, click Save As >> “Save as type” drop-down box.
- Click All files.
Final Verdict
Turning your MS Access database into an executable protects your work & streamlines the user experience. So, you can freely distribute several of your MS Access application logic files to different users as they can’t perform any modification work on it.
You’ll deliver a clean, user-friendly application without exposing your backend.
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.
- Download Stellar Repair for Access rated Great on Cnet (download starts on this page).
- Click Browse and Search option to locate corrupt Access database.
- Click Repair button to repair & preview the database objects.
Pearson Willey
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.