Microsoft Office Access Unrecognized database format

Microsoft Office Access Unrecognized database format

There are two possible reasons why you can’t open the database you have previously created. The first reason is that you are trying to open a database using an older version of Microsoft Access which is originally created by a newer version of MS Access. It is just like opening an Access 2007 using Access 2003. The second reason is that, probably your database is corrupted or damaged.

Reason 1:

To be able to open a database using a previous version of MS Access you need to convert it first. For example, you are using a 97 version of MS Access and you created it in Access 2003. Open it first using Access 2003 and go to “Tools” select “Database Utilities” > “Convert Database” and select the previous version of Access that you want to use. See the image below.

Reason 2:

If you receive an error “Unrecognized database format” it is highly possible that your database is corrupted or damaged. Try to repair your database using the “Compact and Repair” refer to the above image. It is wise to backup your database every major change you’ve made.