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ACCDB ACCDE
File conversion

Convert ACCDB to ACCDE

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 26, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert ACCDB to ACCDE?
Yes - ACCDB converts to ACCDE.

Open the .accdb in Microsoft Access, go to Database Tools > Make ACCDE, and save the output. The VBA source code is stripped from the .accde; only compiled p-code, tables, and data remain. The original .accdb is not changed.

2 programs
Also to ACCDE: MDE · XLTX

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert ACCDB to ACCDE?

An .accde is a compiled, locked copy of an Access application intended for distribution - users can run forms and reports but cannot view or edit VBA code, queries, or form designs. The ACCDB format (ACE engine, introduced in Access 2007) and ACCDE share the same engine; ACCDE is the compiled, source-stripped variant. This protects intellectual property and prevents accidental changes to a deployed application.

How to convert ACCDB to ACCDE

Microsoft Access EASIEST

Open the .accdb, click the Database Tools tab, then click Make ACCDE. Choose a save location and Access compiles the VBA and writes the .accde file.

Programs that convert ACCDB

Microsoft Access
ACCDB MDB Explorer

About these formats

.ACCDB Microsoft Access Database (2007+)

An ACCDB file is a Microsoft Access database - the format Access has used since the 2007 version, replacing the older .mdb. It stores tables, queries, forms, reports, and VBA code in one…

Open .ACCDB details →
.ACCDE Microsoft Access Compiled Execute-Only Database

An ACCDE file is a compiled, execute-only version of a Microsoft Access database (.accdb) - all VBA source code has been permanently removed and design view is disabled. Open it with…

Open .ACCDE details →

Quality & what to watch

  • The .accde cannot be reversed to .accdb; VBA source is permanently stripped and not stored in the output file - keep the original .accdb as your editable copy.
  • Any VBA syntax error in the source .accdb will cause Make ACCDE to fail; run Debug > Compile in the VBA editor first.
  • An .accde still requires Microsoft Access or the free Microsoft Access Runtime to open - it is not a standalone executable.

Frequently asked questions

Can I recover the VBA code from an `.accde`?
No. The source is permanently removed during compilation; there is no way to reverse the process or extract the original code.
What data is kept in the `.accde`?
Tables and their data, compiled VBA modules (p-code), query definitions, form and report layouts, and macros are all preserved; users can still read and edit data through forms.
Can users without a paid Access license open an `.accde`?
Yes - they can install the free Microsoft Access Runtime from Microsoft, which runs the .accde without a paid Office license.
What Access version is required?
Microsoft Access 2007 or later (any Microsoft 365 subscription or standalone Office 2007+ install) supports the Make ACCDE command.