ACC2000: Database Doesn't Shrink Automatically When Object Is Deleted

When you delete an object in Microsoft Access, the size of the database remains the same or gets larger after the deletion.

Deleting objects from a database does not automatically cause the database to shrink in size. This is because, when an object is deleted, the space that it occupies is marked as available. However, the size of the database does not shrink.

If you are deleting objects from a database and you want the database to return to its previous size, you should compact the database.

One of the new features in Microsoft Access 2000 is compact on close. When you use this feature, Access automatically compacts the database each time that you close it. To use the compact on close feature, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. Click the General tab.
3. Click to select the Compact On Close check box, and then click OK.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Open a new database in Microsoft Access.
2. Import the Orders table from the Northwind.mdb sample database.
3. Close the database and note the size of the .mdb file.
4. Reopen the database and delete the Orders table.
5. Close the database, save the changes, and then note the size of the .mdb file. The size of the database has not decreased and, in some cases, may have increased.

For more information about reducing the size of a database, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type compacting an access database or access project in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

For more information about compact on close, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type compact anaccess database or access project automatically every time you close it in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.