Automated Task Scheduler for Microsoft Access

Microsoft Access Database Compact Scheduler

Schedule Microsoft Access database tasks for compact, backup, macro run, etc.

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Microsoft Access Database Compact and Repair to Minimize Corruption and Avoid Bloat (by Access Version)

Microsoft Access/Jet Databases Need to be Periodically Compacted

File server databases like Access/JET MDB and ACCDB files need to be periodically compacted and repaired for optimal performance and to minimize database corruption. Compacting also eliminates database bloat that can occur as data is added and deleted in the database. Here's a Microsoft Knowledgebase article that discusses some of the issues.

Microsoft Access databases can be manually compacted from the Access menu. Over the last few versions of Access, the location of this command has moved around. Here's a summary across versions of compacting the currently opened database or another database.

Compact and Repair Database by Access Version

Microsoft Access 365, 2021 and 2019

If you have a database open, the Compact and Repair Database command will compact it. If a database is not open, it will prompt you to select a database on disk and the name of the compacted database. You can select the option from the Database Tools ribbon:

It is also available on the File Menu. Choose Info, then select the Compact & Repair Database button on the right:

Microsoft Access 2016 and 2013

The feature is similar in Access 2016 and 2013 with different icons:

It is also available on the File Menu. Choose Info, then select the Compact & Repair Database button on the right:

Microsoft Access 2010

Similarly, the Compact and Repair Database option is on the Database Tools ribbon:

It is also available on the File Menu, under Info. Select the Compact & Repair Database button on the right:

Microsoft Access 2007

Microsoft Access 2007 does not have a Compact option from the Database Tools ribbon. To compact in Access 2007, from the Office button, select Manage and choose Compact and Repair Database:

Microsoft Access 2003 and Earlier

Pre-ribbon, it was simply on the menu under: Tools, Database Utilities, Compact and Repair Database

Blog on this topic: Microsoft Access Database Compact and Repair to Minimize Corruption and Avoid Bloat

Additional Resources and Technical Papers

Creating a Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan for Microsoft Access Database Applications
Compact on Close command
How the decompile command eliminates VBA related errors
Decompile Your Microsoft Access Database to Improve Performance, Fix Corruption, and Avoid Strange Errors
Microsoft Access Inconsistent Compile Error for a Field Reference in a Form
All Microsoft Access Error Numbers and Descriptions
Microsoft Access Developer Corner

Microsoft Access Database Administrator Products

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