The tendency of a MS Access file is to keep on growing as one continue to work on the database. This behavior will continue even if some of the records are already modified or deleted. It is because even when the records are modified or deleted, the allocated disk space for it continues to be held in reserve by the database, and that space will not be available for use.

Aside from the inefficient use of disk space, this might also cause the corruption of file.

To maximize the database performance and minimize the file size, there is a tool to Compact and Repair Database. This tool reduces the file size by duplicating the database and eliminating the unused space. It also tries to repair the database if it was corrupted.

Compacting the database

There are two ways to compact and repair a database. Manual compact and repair of database are done whenever the need arise. The automatic compact and repair of database are done habitually before closing the database.

MANUAL COMPACT AND REPAIR OF DATABASE

1. Open the database.

2. Choose Tools -> Database Utilities -> Compact and Repair Database

AUTOMATIC COMPACT AND REPAIR OF DATABASE

1. Open the database.

2. Choose Tools -> Options

On the General Tab, tick on Compact on Close. Then, click OK.