Open the database exclusively

Question: In Access 2003/XP/2000/97, I tried modifying some of the objects in my Access database and I received an error message stating that I needed to open the database exclusively. What does this mean and how do I open a database exclusively?
Answer: Because Access was designed to accommodate multiple users in the system at the same time, you may need to have exclusive access to the database to modify forms, tables, etc. depending on the circumstances.

To open an Access database exclusively, launch Microsoft Access. On the toolbar, select the Open button or you can select Open under the File menu.


Select the database that you wish to open exclusively. Click on the arrow to the right side of the Open button. A list of options will appear (Open, Open Read-Only, Open Exclusive, Open Exclusive Read Only).
Select "Open Exclusive" from the list.

Your Access database will open. In this case, we've chosen an Access database called Testing.mdb.