How to Repair Corrupt Macros in MS Access?

Macros are used to automate a set of tasks in Access. By using macros, you can enhance the functionality of the objects of the Access database without the need to write code in the VBA module. You can create standalone macros, embedded macros, data macros, or event-driven data macros in Access. Like forms and reports, the macros are also objects of the database. These macros can get corrupted for different reasons. When you try to access the corrupt macros, you can face different errors and issues such as:

Fail to open the macros
Action failed 2950 error

Macros fail to execute properly
MS Access application crashes unexpectedly when trying to open the macros

In this article, we’ll discuss the methods to repair corrupted macros-enabled Access database file.

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Methods to Repair Corrupt Macros in MS Access

When macros in a database get corrupted, you can try restoring the database file from backup. If you do not have an updated backup, then follow the below methods:

Method 1 – Import Data into a New Database

In case the database is corrupt, you can try to import the data from the affected database into a new database. This helps rebuild the data, including macros, queries, and other elements, from scratch. To import the data from the existing database file into a new database, follow these steps:

First, create a new Access database file. For this, open your MS Access application and click Blank Desktop database.

Next, go to the External Data tab and then click on the Access option.

In the Get External Data – Access Database window, click on Browse to choose the affected database.
Click “Import tables, queries, forms, reports, macros, and modules into the current database” and then click OK.
In the Import Objects window, click the required object, i.e., macros or select All to restore all the objects. Click OK.

Method 2 – Use the Compact and Repair Tool

You can use the Compact and Repair tool in MS Access to repair the Access database. This tool can optimize the database file size and resolve corruption issues within the database. To use the Compact and Repair tool, follow these steps:

First, make sure no other users are using the database file you need to repair.
Then, open MS Access and click on the Blank Database on the Templates page.
Click File and then click Close.
Go to the Database Tools tab and then click on Compact and Repair Database.
Choose the database you need to compact and repair in the Database to Compact From dialog box.

The compacted and repaired database will be saved at the same location where the original database file is saved.

Method 3 – Use Professional Access Database Repair Tool

If the Compact and Repair tool fails to provide the desired results, then you can use a professional Access database repair tool, like Stellar Repair for Access. This tool is recommended by MVPs and can easily repair highly damaged database files with complete integrity. The tool can recover all the elements, including macros, from the corrupt database file. It supports all the MS Access versions. It can even repair a split database. It can also recover deleted records from the Access database.

Some key features of Stellar Repair for Access are:

Repairs corrupt ACCDB/MDB files.
Repairs and recovers all the database objects, including macros.
Supports MS Access 2019, 2016, and earlier versions.
Resolves all types of corruption-related errors in the Access database.

Conclusion

Corruption in macros can occur due to different reasons. In such a case, you can restore the backup database file or import the macros from the affected database file into a new database file. If this doesn’t work, then you can use the Compact and Repair tool in MS Access to repair the database. If nothing works, then you can use a reliable Access database repair tool, like Stellar Repair for Access. It can repair and restore macros and other objects from corrupt Access database file to a new database file. You can use it to repair macros in password-protected forms and modules with complete integrity and precision. It supports Access database files created in Office 365, Access 2019, 2016, 2013, and lower versions. You can download the demo version of the tool to check its functionality.