How to Enable a Trusted Database in Microsoft Access

Apr 27, 2023

By default, no matter what version of Microsoft Access you use to create the database, all potentially unsafe code and other elements are disabled.

How to Enable a Trusted Database in Microsoft Access

For data security reasons and by default, Microsoft Access prevents macros and Visual Basic (VB) code from running when you start a Microsoft Access database that was created on a device other than your own (a foreign database). You have two options if you choose to trust the disabled content: either permanently trust the database or utilize the Message Bar.

Step 1: Utilize the Message Bar

Trusting the disabled content in the Microsoft Access database by utilizing the Message Bar is a very easy process. You just have to click the Enable Content button on the Message Bar just below the Access ribbon. However, if you select this option, the process might need to be repeated if the database changes.
Step 2: Permanently Trust the Database

To specify a trusted location, go to the File tab, and click Options. Then, click Trust Center in the Access Options dialog box. Next, click Trust Center Settings under Microsoft Office Access Trust Center. Select Trusted Locations in the Trust Center dialog box’s left pane and then select the “Allow Trusted Locations on my Network” check box in the right pane to add a network location. Click “Add new location”. After that, in the Microsoft Office Trusted Location dialog box, use one of the following methods: use the Path box and type the full path of the location that you want to add or click Browse to browse to the location of your choice. To specify that subfolders of the new trusted locations should also be trusted, select the “Subfolders of this location are also trusted” check box.

FAQs

How to enable the Message Bar if it is not visible?

Make sure the Message Bar is enabled if you don’t see it but the content has been disabled. Go to the File tab, followed by Options. Click Trust Center in the Access Options dialog box’s left pane. Then, click Trust Center Settings under Microsoft Office Access Trust Center. Next, select the Message Bar in the Trust Center dialog box’s left pane. Click OK after choosing Show the Message Bar in all programs when ActiveX controls and other active content have been banned in the right pane. To apply the modified configuration, close the database and reopen it.

What aspects should one take into account while deciding whether or not to trust a Microsoft Access database?

You should take a few things into account before deciding whether or not to trust a database. These factors comprise your own security policy, your objective, the source of the database, the information included in the database file, and the safety of the location where the database is kept.

What is a trusted location?

A trusted location is a folder or file path on your computer or on your intranet where it is deemed secure to execute code. The Startup, AddIns, and Templates folders are examples of default trusted locations. Additionally, you can define your own trusted locations.