.accdb files
.accdb file
Microsoft Access Database
The Access database format since 2007 — Windows only, in practice.
What opens a .accdb file
- Windows
- Microsoft Access, Access Runtime (free, to run an existing database)
- macOS
- Microsoft Access in a Windows VM (Parallels Desktop)
- Linux
- No reliable option — request a CSV or Excel export
What a .accdb file is
ACCDB replaced MDB in Access 2007, adding attachment fields, multi-value fields and better encryption. Only Microsoft Access reads it properly, and Access is a Windows-only product not included in every Microsoft 365 plan. On a Mac or Linux machine the realistic options are a Windows virtual machine or asking whoever sent it for a CSV or Excel export.
Converting it
A .accdb file is commonly converted to .mdb, .csv, .xlsx or .sql. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.
Details
- Extension
- .accdb
- Full name
- Microsoft Access Database
- Category
- Data
- Created by
- Microsoft
- Format
- Binary
Common questions
- How do I open a .accdb file?
- On Windows use Microsoft Access; on macOS use Microsoft Access in a Windows VM (Parallels Desktop); on Linux use No reliable option — request a CSV or Excel export. The Access database format since 2007 — Windows only, in practice.
- What is a .accdb file?
- Microsoft Access Database. ACCDB replaced MDB in Access 2007, adding attachment fields, multi-value fields and better encryption. Only Microsoft Access reads it properly, and Access is a Windows-only product not included in every Microsoft 365 plan.
- Can I convert a .accdb file?
- Yes. It is usually converted to .mdb, .csv, .xlsx or .sql, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.
Related pages
- .csv — Comma-Separated Values A spreadsheet as plain text, one row per line — the universal data exchange form
- .json — JavaScript Object Notation The standard text format for structured data on the web and in config files.
- .xml — Extensible Markup Language A tag-based text format for structured data, still everywhere in enterprise syst
- .yaml — YAML Data File An indentation-based configuration format, readable but unforgiving about whites
- .log — Log File A plain-text record of what a program did, newest events usually at the bottom.
- .torrent — BitTorrent Metainfo File A few kilobytes of metadata describing what to download and from whom — not the
- .dat — Generic Data File A meaningless extension — .dat says only that some program stored data here.
- .vcf — vCard Contact File One or more contacts as plain text — the standard way to move an address book.
- .sql — SQL Script A text file of database commands — often a full database dump.
- .ics — iCalendar Event A calendar invitation or event feed in a plain-text standard format.
- .sqlite — SQLite Database A complete relational database in a single file — the most deployed database in
- .db — Generic Database File An extension many programs use for their data — it does not identify one format.
Sources
- Media Types Registry — IANA
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place