File Corruption & Recovery

How to Fix #Deleted Values in Microsoft Access Linked Tables

Guest Writer Sep 25, 2026 873 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where intermittent '#Deleted' errors appear in the fields of linked tables within a split Microsoft Access database.

How to Fix #Deleted Values in Microsoft Access Linked Tables

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing and viewing linked tables in a split Access database over a network connection.
Observed behavior: Individual linked-table fields display '#Deleted' instead of the stored text, which usually indicates underlying data corruption, record locking conflicts, or temporary network drops.

Before you start

Before attempting any database repairs, ensure that all users are completely disconnected from the network database, and make a secure copy of both your front-end and back-end database files.

Solution 1Recommended

Run Compact and Repair on the Back-end Database

Use the built-in Microsoft Access utility to scan for and fix structural corruption in the back-end database.

The Compact and Repair tool reorganizes your database files to improve performance and fix structural errors that trigger the #Deleted display. This must be done directly on the back-end file, not the front-end.

Ensure exclusive access

Verify that no other users or applications are currently connected to the back-end database file.

Open the back-end database directly

Launch Microsoft Access, go to File > Open, and browse to open your local copy of the back-end database file (.accdb or .mdb) rather than the front-end linked file.

Execute Compact and Repair

Navigate to the 'Database Tools' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Compact and Repair Database'. Wait for the process to complete.

Run Compact and Repair on the Back-end Database

Data Recovery Limitations: While Compact and Repair resolves structural database corruption, it usually cannot recover specific text data that is already permanently lost or overwritten. Missing data will need to be restored manually.

Solution 2

Stabilize Network Connections

Prevent intermittent #Deleted errors by ensuring a highly stable connection between the front-end user and the back-end database server.

Solution 3

Restore Lost Records from a Backup

Recover data that was permanently lost to corruption from a healthy, previously saved backup.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do fields show #Deleted in my Access linked table?

This typically occurs in a split database environment when your network connection to the back-end database drops momentarily, or when a specific record becomes corrupted or locked by another user while you are attempting to read it.

Will running Compact and Repair bring back my #Deleted data?

Usually, no. Compact and Repair can fix the structural corruption of the database tables and prevent the error from spreading, but it generally cannot recover the text data that has already been destroyed or overwritten. You must restore those specific records from a backup.

How can I prevent the #Deleted error from happening again?

To prevent this error, ensure that all users accessing the split database are doing so over reliable, hard-wired network connections rather than Wi-Fi. Furthermore, perform regular backups and schedule routine Compact and Repair maintenance on the back-end database.

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