How to Link Tables in Access

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Microsoft Access allows tables and databases to connect with each other. This capability can increase your efficiency and easily spread information that is required for multiple departments or reports. You can make changes in the original table and the linked table that will create changes in both Access databases.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Preparing a Database Before Linking

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    Open a document in Microsoft Office and go to the Help tab. Click on the drop down menu and select “About Microsoft Office.”
    • You should see the year that your version of Access was made, such as 2007 or 2013.
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    You can only import tables, queries and macros from Access 2.0 and Access 95 into Access 2007 or later. Other items, such as forms, reports or modules can’t be linked.
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    Ensure they are one of the following file types: MDB, MDE, ACCDB or ACCDE.
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    You will be prompted to enter this password during the linking process if it applies. Keep in mind that you can’t use read-only databases; you will need full permissions.
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    You can only link from the table at its original source.
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    [1]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Linking Tables in Access

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    Click on the table that you want to link. This can be an existing database or a brand new one containing no information.
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    This will help you keep the data straight.
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    Click the “Access” button in the horizontal toolbar. A dialog box will appear that says “Get External Data.”
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    Select the table within that database that you want to link. Click “Ok” when you have located it.
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    ” Click “Ok.” You may be asked to enter your password at this point.
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    Once it is linked, you can change the data in your new database and it will also change in your original table. This is true of changes in the original file as well.
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    You can link to many tables at once. [2]
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      Tips

      • Importing and linking are two different tasks in Microsoft Access. You can follow a similar process to import data from tables with the “Get External Data” dialog box, and select the “import” radio button, rather than the “link” radio button. Imported data will not communicate with the original database, so changes made in one will not be made in another.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access-help/import-or-link-to-data-in-another-access-database-HA001227658.aspx
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_hfcRjyJ_Q

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