Forum Discussion
Error when importing data from Microsoft Access
The error message is "The database has been placed in a state by user 'Admin' on machine "my computer" that prevents it from being opened or locked".
I feel as if the error message is straight forward but how do I go about fixing this issue? I've enabled the database to trust the location of the folder and restarted my PC but with no luck.
9 Replies
This could mean that someone has opened some object in the Access database in Design mode. That would prevent others from opening it. You can try to close the database and then reopen it. If that doesn’t work, you can try to compact and repair the database.
I don't think anyone else has it open, I'll double check though. I've also compacted and repaired the database a couple times but I still am not able to import it into PowerBI, any other thoughts?
Some questions come to mind:
- Are the Windows machines Windows 10 or Windows 11?
- How is File sharing over a network setup in your environment?
- Trying Excel Power Query, can you successfully connect to and import table data from the same Access Database without error?
- Is it Access 2016, 2019, or Microsoft 365? What is the MS Access Version and Version number (as well M365 version number and channel of any machines that would connect if it is Shared)? Was MS Access recently updated, and did this issue begin after an update was applied?
- What is the Access Database file format?
- If the Access Database is stored on a Network Share, what changes have been made on the infrastructure and security side recently that would impact file sharing over a network?
- Is the Access Database in Shared Mode? Where is the Access Database stored? Is it stored on your machine?
- If it is Shared Mode, is the Database Split, and what is the backend database? Are you the DBA for that if it is?
- Does the Access Database include external links such as to a SharePoint List?
- How is the Access Database otherwise performing?
If it is stored on a Network File Share, debug by copying the Access Database to your machine, disabling any external links in the Access Database, and pointing the PBIX to that file to the local copy. See if that works
Have you spoken with the Application Owner for this Access Database? Can they restore a recent copy or several recent copies to understand if an older version is able to be imported by Power BI Desktop / Excel Power Query?
