Compact & Repair

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Compact & Repair
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Compact & Repair is an Access integrated function. It helps prevent and correct problems. Database files can grow quickly as you use them, sometimes impeding performance. They can also occasionally become corrupted or damaged. You can use the Compact and Repair Database command in Microsoft Office Access to prevent or fix these problems.

In particular circumstances, a database file can become corrupted. The risk of corruption is somewhat greater if users frequently edit data in Memo fields, and the risk grows over time. You can mitigate this risk by using the Compact and Repair Database command.


Database files grow with use

As you add and update data, a database file becomes larger. Some of this growth comes from new data, but some comes from other sources:


As your database file fills up, its performance can degrade. Objects may open more slowly, queries may take longer than normal to run, and typical operations generally seem to take longer.


Note: Compacting does not compress your data — it makes your database file smaller by eliminating unused space.

The usual way to compact and repair the database is in going to the Microsoft® Office Backstage view. But can also use the Compact & Repair button located in the ribbon at the left top of the window.