Edit .mde file

[scottbob]

Ok, I'm an access newbie, so bear with me...

I have a simple Access database for inventorying workshop equipment
that has been saved as a .mde file. I want to be able to edit some
fields, add some drop-down menus, import/export data from an Excel
sheet and change the way some reports are generated, but I can't get
into it. Are .mde files password protected, encrypted or what? Is
there a way to unprotect, decrypt, or otherwise "crack" the file so it
can be edited? TIA!

 

[Adam Goossens]

Hi scottbob,

MDE files are designed so that they cannot be edited. They are encrypted
precisely to prevent what you want to do - tamper with them I'm sure
if you had enough time and energy you could edit it, but it's probably
not worth the effort.

You'll need the source MDB file to make changes.

Regards,
-Adam.

 

[Wayne Phillips]

Hi scottbob,

If you are the legal owner of the database and are still looking for a way
to edit forms and reports from within a locked MDE file, take a look at my
MDE Unlocker Utility which should do exactly what you want. A demo of the
program is available for testing.

A tutorial and download details can be found here;
http://www.everythingaccess.com/tutorials.asp?ID=1

There are some important limitations so be sure to read the tutorial fully.
Note: this utility works best for Access 2000 and above files - Access 97
files are only partially supported.

Regards,

Wayne Phillips
http://www.everythingaccess.com

 

[Wayne Phillips]

Apologies to the people that tried to download the MDE Unlocker program from
the listed tutorial yesterday.
The download link is now fixed.

http://www.everythingaccess.com/tutorials.asp?ID=1

Regards,

Wayne Phillips
http://www.everythingaccess.com