Troubleshooting - Unrecognized Database Format - Access Error

By Author: Garth Pope
Total Articles: 2
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In the present scenario, MS Access is one of the most popular and widely used database applications. Across the globe, MS Access is being used up by millions of users. As a matter of fact, it is an efficient and impeccable database application.

Let’s consider a real life scenario wherein when you try to open an Access database, you get to face the following error message:
“Unrecognized Database Format”

Now that we have come to know the error message, let’s try to understand the root cause behind the occurrence of the above mentioned error message.
There are two probable causes behind the occurrence of the above mentioned error message. They are as follows:
One reason behind the occurrence of the above mentioned error message is that either you are trying to open an Access database in an earlier version.
Another reason behind the occurrence of the above mentioned error message is that you are trying to open a damaged and corrupt Access database.

Now that we have come to know the error message and the cause behind the occurrence of the error message, let’s quickly come to ...
... the resolution part.
If the above mentioned error message is occurred because you are trying to open the Access database in an earlier version, you can perform the below mentioned steps:
First and foremost, you must open the Access database file in the later version of MS Access.

Secondly, you must convert the Access database to an earlier version of MS Access. To accomplish this, you need to perform the following steps:

1.Open the Access database.
2.Click Tools -> Database Utilities. Click Convert Database and then To Access version File Format.
3.In the File Name box, enter the name of the file.
4.Click the Save button.

If however, the aforementioned error message has occurred due to damaged and corrupt Access database then you need to perform the following steps:
First and foremost, you can try to restore your valuable data from the last, valid and proper backup.
If however, a proper Access file backup is not available then you need to perform Access recovery.

You can perform Access recovery using the Compact and Repair utility. To perform Access database recovery using the Compact and Repair utility, perform the following steps:

1.Close the Access database.
2.Take Access database backup.
3.Click Tools -> Database Utilities. Click Compact and Repair Database.
4.From the Database to Compact From dialog box, mention the file name and then click Compact.
5.In Compact Database Into dialog box, mention the destination and compacted Access file name and then click the Save button.

By performing the above mentioned steps, you should be able to resolve the above mentioned error message. However, if you are unable to resolve the error by performing the aforementioned steps, then use a professional and efficient Access database recovery tool to repair the damaged and corrupt Access database files.

Recoveryfix for Access is a professional Access database recovery tool that has the capability to repair the damaged and corrupt Access database files and that too in an easy and efficient manner.

Author Bio

The author of this article is a database administrator who comes across numerous database corruption issues on every day basis and fixes those error with the help of access database recovery tool. He uses his knowledge to write useful articles on Access recovery tool.