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How Do You Password Protect a Database in Access

Secure your data by setting up password protection in Microsoft Access databases

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How Do You Password Protect a Database in Access

You can encrypt a database using a password to keep unauthorized users from opening the database.

Set a Password

To encrypt a database, you first need to open it in Exclusive mode.

  1. Click the File tab on the ribbon.
    Set a Password
  2. Select Open.
  3. Click Browse.
    Set a Password
  4. Browse to and select the Access file you want to encrypt.
  5. Click the Open list arrow and select Open Exclusive.
    Set a Password

    6. The database opens in Exclusive mode. Now we can encrypt it with a password.

  6. Click the File tab.
    Set a Password
  7. Click Encrypt with Password.
    Set a Password

    The Set Database Password dialog box appears.

  8. Type a password in the Password field, enter it again in the Verify field, and click OK.
    Set a Password

The password is set. In the future, whenever anyone tries to open the database, they will first be prompted to enter a password.

Remove a Password

You can remove a password at any time.

  1. Open the encrypted database in Exclusive mode.
  2. Click the File tab.
    Remove a Password
  3. Click Decrypt Database.
    Remove a Password
  4. Type a password in the Password field and click OK.
    Remove a Password

The password is removed from the database.