How to Link Tables in Access

Preparing a Database Before Linking

1. Find out what version of Access you and other computers are running. Open a document in Microsoft Office and go to the Help tab. Click on the drop down menu and select 'About Microsoft Office.'

   1. You should see the year that your version of Access was made, such as 2007 or 2013.

2. Ensure it is a table, not a report or form that you are trying to link. You can only import tables, queries and macros from Access 2.0 and Access 95 into Access 2007 or later. Other items, such as forms, reports or modules can't be linked.

3. Save the databases you want to link in an accessible location. Ensure they are one of the following file types: MDB, MDE, ACCDB or ACCDE.

4. Make sure you know the password if any of the databases are password protected. You will be prompted to enter this password during the linking process if it applies. Keep in mind that you can't use read-only databases; you will need full permissions.

5. Ensure that you are not trying to link to a table that is already linked from a different location. You can only link from the table at its original source.

6. Close the database that holds the table you want to link to the new database.^{[1] X Research source}