totn Access

MS Access 2003: Linked table record shows as deleted (ie: #DELETED)

This MSAccess tutorial explains how to fix a #DELETED error in a linked table record in Access 2003 (with screenshots and step-by-step instructions).

Question: In Microsoft Access 2003/XP/2000/97, I've linked to a table in another database (ie: Oracle). All of the records say #DELETED. The records are fine when I go into the originating database. Other tables are fine in that database too. What could be wrong with this table?

Answer: Chances are you are linking to a table that either does not have a primary key or Access does not recognize the primary key.

Try deleting the linked table and relinking it. A window should appear that allows you to select the fields that identify the unique records, see below:

Microsoft Access

Select the fields that make up the primary key or if in doubt, select the first 10 fields. Access will not let you choose more than 10 fields to identify the primary key.