Advantages of MDE files include compacted file size, VBA code that can run but can’t be changed, and the ability to edit data and run reports while shielding the user from having full database access. What do you do if you need to open an MDE file? Below are some suggestions to help out.
How to Open an MDE File
MDE files can be opened with Microsoft Access and probably some other database programs as well. Here’s how to open one in Access 2019:
Import Your MDE File Into Excel
Microsoft Excel will import MDE files, but that data will then have to be saved in some other spreadsheet format like XLSX or CSV. Here’s how to import an MDE into Excel:
How to Convert an MDE File
While there is some older information on how to convert an MDE to a MDB, Microsoft itself doesn’t support this process. There’s at least one company that will do the conversion for you at a cost. If you don’t see that option, choose Get External Data from the left side of the Data menu. Once the information in the MDE file is in the MDB format, you can convert the MDB file to ACCDB or ACCDE using Access. Alternatively, you can open the MDE file in Access and then manually copy the data into a new MDB file.
Still Can’t Open the File?
If the programs above aren’t working to open your file, it’s possible that you’re misreading the file extension, meaning that you don’t actually have an MDE file. For example, an Amiga MED Sound file and RSView Development Project file both use the MED file extension, which is really similar to MDE but not the same. Even though they look like they might be related to Microsoft Access or ArchiCAD, they instead open with ModPlug Player and RSView, respectively. The same is true for other file extensions that might sound or look like “MDE,” like NOMEDIA. Another is MME, which belongs to the Multi-Purpose Internet Mail format, and MDD, which might be a Point Oven Deformation Data file or an MDict Resource file.
