MDB files are associated with Microsoft Access, which is a relational database management program that works as a standalone application or with the Professional edition of Microsoft Office. The file extension MDB is created by Access 2007 or earlier and provides a format that is exclusive to the Access Jet Database Engine.
MDB files store data related to database components such as cell information, formulas, table and field structure, queries, reports, and database security settings, to name a few elements. The data is stored in its own format based on the Jet Database Engine and can be imported or linked directly to data stored in other databases including Access, Excel, Outlook, dBase, Lotus 1-2-3, and Microsoft SQL Server.
How to Open MDB Files
Although the MDB file extension is exclusive to Windows, the files can be opened using a variety of different methods that work with Windows, Mac, and Linux. The most common way to open an MDB file is by using any version of Microsoft Access or Microsoft Office.
If you use Windows, you can use Wolfram Research Mathematica, which is an application for performing computations and supports multi-paradigm language. The program is available for download on the Wolfram website and is offered in a trial version and a paid version. You can also use SAS Institute SAS, Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 and MDB Viewer Plus to open and view MDB files.
If you use Mac OS X, you can use MDB Viewer, which is designed to open Microsoft Access files on a Mac PC. Wolfram Research Mathematica will also open MDB files.
If you use Linux, you can open MDB files using SAS Institute SAS, which is an open source statistical analysis application designed for data analysis. You can also use MDB-Export, which will export data in an MDB file to CSV format or the OpenOffice suite of applications.
MDB files can also be converted to another format using an MDB file conversion program. There are a variety of MDB conversion programs available on websites such as CNET and Softpedia.
Websites such as Zamzar will convert MDB files for you for free. You simply upload the file, select the format, enter your email address, and then click on Convert. Within minutes the new file will be sent to your email inbox.
The file extension MDB can also be associated with Avid video editing and finishing software. This type of file contains data related to media assets which are used for video editing projects. In this case, you can open MDB files using the Avid Media Composer software application, which is available as a free trial on the Avid website.
