Opening an Existing Database

When you start Access, the task pane lists the most recently opened databases. To open a database that is not listed in the task pane, use the Open command.

To open a database:

1. Click the Open toolbar button.
2. If necessary, from the Look in: drop-down list, select the drive or location where the database is stored.
3. If necessary, open the appropriate folder.
4. Double-click the name of the database to open it, or click the name of the database once to highlight it; then click the Open button.

When you start Access, the Getting Started task pane lists the most recently opened database files. Click any file to open it. The File Menu also lists the most recently opened files.

The open command may also be issued from the File menu or by using the keyboard shortcut + .