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Back Up and Restore a Database

Protect your data by learning how to back up and restore Access databases safely

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Back Up and Restore a Database

You can create a backup copy of your database in case of a system failure or if the Undo command isn't enough to fix a mistake.

Back Up a Database

It's important to back up your database on a regular basis, as without one you can't restore corrupted or missing objects.

  1. Open the database you want to back up and click the File tab.
    Back Up a Database
  2. Select Save As.
  3. Select Back Up Database.
  4. Click Save As.
    Back Up a Database

    The Save As dialog box appears. Here you can specify where you want to save the backup.

  5. In the Save As dialog box, specify a location and name for the backup.
  6. Click Save.
    Back Up a Database

Access creates a backup copy of the database.

Restore a Database

When you restore a whole database, you replace a database file that is damaged, has data problems, or is missing completely with a backup copy of the database.

  1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the location of the last known backup of the database.
  2. Copy the backup of the database.
    Restore a Database
  3. Navigate to the location of the damaged or missing database and paste the backup database.

The backup of the database appears.