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MS Access 2007: Link to a table in another database

This MSAccess tutorial explains how to link to a table in another database in Access 2007 (with screenshots and step-by-step instructions).

Question: In Microsoft Access 2007, how can I link to a table in another database?

Answer: You are able to link to tables from other databases, whether the table is an Access table, an Oracle table, an Excel spreadsheet, or even a text file.

Linking to a table from another Access database

To link to a table from another Access database, select the External Data tab in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Then click on the Access button in the Import group.

Microsoft Access

Next, click on the Browse button and find the Access file that contains the tables that you wish to link to. In this example, we are selecting the Testing2.accdb file.

Then select the radio button called "Link to the data source by created a creating table" and click on the OK button.

Microsoft Access

Highlight the tables that you wish to link to. In this example, we have selected the Suppliers table.

When you have finished selecting the tables, click on the OK button.

Microsoft Access

Your linked tables should now appear in your database window. You will notice the arrow to the left of the table name. That means that it is a linked table.

Microsoft Access

Linking to a table from an Oracle database

To link to a table from an Oracle database, select the External Data tab in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Then in the Import group, click on the More button and select ODBC Database from the popup menu.

Microsoft Access

Select the option called "Link to the data source by creating a linked table" and click on the OK button.

Microsoft Access

A "Select Data Source" window should appear. Click on the Machine Data Source tab and select the ODBC connection for your Oracle database. In this example, we have chosen an Oracle database called "Prod". Click on the OK button.

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A login window should appear. Enter your user name and password for the Oracle database. Click on the OK button.

Microsoft Access

Now you can select the Oracle tables that you wish to link to.