No Tables Appear in Add Tables Dialog Box

When you attempt to query a Microsoft Access database using Microsoft Query or the Get External Data command in Microsoft Excel, the Add Tables or Choose Columns dialog box may appear blank.

You may also receive the following error message:

This problem occurs if you use a Microsoft Access database and a folder with the same name in the same directory. For example, the Add Tables or Choose Columns dialog boxes appear blank if a folder named "Northwind" and a Microsoft Access database named "Northwind.mdb" exist in the same directory, as in the following example:

To resolve this problem, do not use a folder and a Microsoft Access database with the same name in the same directory.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.