Unrecognized database format

Sometimes Microsoft Access gives error messages such as 'Unrecognized Database Format' when opening an Access database; as a result you cannot access your important access database.

There might be some possibilities as follows:

1. You are opening an older version of Access database in an earlier version, such as you are trying to open an Access 97 database on Access 2000.

To avoid this problem, Open the access database in its original version where it was actually developed or convert the access database in its older version.

You can convert your access database by using following steps:

  • Open the Microsoft Access database that you want to convert. If it is a multi-user database that is located on a server or in a shared folder, make sure that no one else has it open.
  • On the Tools menu, point to Database Utilities, click Convert Database, and then click To Prior Access Database Version.
  • In the Convert Database Into dialog box, type the name of the new previous-version database that you want to create in the File name box, and then click Save

2. Your Microsoft Access database may be corrupted or damaged.

Access Database corruption most often heard corruption problem. If you don’t have backup of your corrupt access database there are lots of ways to repair corrupt access database.

If you suddenly get the 'Unrecognized Database Format' error message for no apparent reason, the chances are very high the database is actually corrupted. Effective Repair services from a Professional Data Recovery Service Company to repair corrupted access database is the best solution.