Forum Discussion

DemingPDCA's avatar
DemingPDCA
Icon for Helper II rankHelper II
3 years ago
Solved

Access Database Connection - Unable to Connect, File already in Use

Anyone seen anything like this before when trying to get PowerBI to connect to an access database? "We encountered an error while trying to connect. Details: "Count note use"; file already in use"
  • lbendlin's avatar
    lbendlin
    3 years ago

    You have the access database open, and the lock file is confused.  Either close Access or reset the lock file.

lbendlin's avatar
lbendlin
Icon for Super User rankSuper User
2 years ago

Access was originally a single user database. Data is stored in an .accdb file  .  Then they added a lock file option that allows multiple users to work on the same file - in a limited manner.  

 

"Proper" databases are designed to handle multiple connections by default, not through some quirky workarounds.

londonmr66's avatar
londonmr66
New Member
2 years ago

Ok so it sounds like you are suggesting using something other than Access. What would you use and would the data in my Access database be transferable? I appreciate your advice. Thanks

  • lbendlin's avatar
    lbendlin
    Icon for Super User rankSuper User
    2 years ago

    Anything with SQL in its name should do.  Data should be fully transferable, but expect some configuration efforts.