The Microsoft Access program allows you to link tables and databases together. This feature can improve the efficiency of your work and easily send the information requested by multiple business departments. You can make changes to both the source table and the linked table, and modify both Access databases in this way.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare a Database Before Connecting
Step 1. Find out which version of Access is installed on your computer
Open a Microsoft Office document and switch to the "Help" tab. Click on the drop-down menu and select "About Microsoft Office".
It should show the year your version of Access was created, such as 2007 or 2013
Step 2. Make sure it's a table, not a relationship or a form you want to link
In Access 2007 or later, you can only import tables, queries, and macros from Access 2.0 and Access 95. Other elements, such as forms or relationships, cannot be linked.
Step 3. Save the databases you want to connect to an accessible location
Make sure it is one of the following file types: MDB, MDE, ACCDB, or ACCDE.
Step 4. If one of the databases is password protected, make sure you know it
If required, you will need to enter it during the linking process. Note that you cannot use read-only databases; you will need the necessary authorization.
Step 5. Make sure you are not attaching the database to a table that is already attached from a different location
You can only link it from a table in its original location.
Step 6. Close the database that contains the table you want to connect to the new database
Part 2 of 2: Linking Tables in Access
Step 1. Open the new Access database where you want to add the table information
Click on the table you want to link. This can be an existing database or a new database that contains no information.
Step 2. Rename the table to the same or a similar name as the linked table in the other database
This will help you keep your data intact.
Step 3. Save the database and prepare to link the tables
Click on the "Access" button in the horizontal toolbar. A dialog box will appear with the entry "Load external data".
Step 4. Use the browser button to find the database that contains the table you want to link
Locate the table in the database and, once selected, click on "Ok".
Step 5. Select the radio button with the entry "Link to data source by creating linked table"
Click on "Ok". You may need to enter your password at this point.
Step 6. Wait for the table to appear
Once connected, you can edit the data in the new database; this will also change the source table. This also applies to changes in the original file.
Step 7. Repeat the procedure
You can link to multiple tables at the same time.
