SharePoint Document Issues

How to Fix Missing Created and Created By Fields in Linked SharePoint Access Tables

Adam Davis Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to restore visibility of default SharePoint system columns in a linked Microsoft Access database table.

How to Fix Missing Created and Created By Fields in Linked SharePoint Access Tables

Product: Microsoft Access / SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Viewing or updating a linked SharePoint list within a Microsoft Access database.
Observed behavior: Default SharePoint columns such as Created, Created By, ID, and Modified disappear or fail to display in Microsoft Access after the linked list is updated or changed.

Before you start

Verify your permission levels in the original SharePoint list to ensure you have the necessary access rights to view all system-generated columns before troubleshooting the Access database.

Solution 1Recommended

Unhide Fields in the Linked SharePoint Table

Use this method to quickly check if the missing columns were accidentally hidden from the current datasheet view in Access.

In many cases, the fields are successfully synced from SharePoint but are simply hidden from the active view in Microsoft Access. Unhiding them is the quickest way to restore visibility.

Open the Linked Table

Launch Microsoft Access and double-click the linked SharePoint table from the navigation pane to open it in Datasheet View.

Access the Unhide Menu

Right-click on any existing column header (field name) at the top of the table, and select 'Unhide Fields' from the context menu.

Select Missing Fields

In the dialog box that appears, scroll through the list of fields and check the boxes next to 'Created', 'Created By', 'Modified', or 'ID' to display them again.

Unhide Fields in the Linked SharePoint Table

Quick Fix: If the fields reappear immediately, you do not need to recreate the link or clear the cache.

Solution 2

Clear Access Cache and Recreate the SharePoint Link

Use this solution if unhiding fields does not work, which indicates a caching issue or a corrupted link between Access and SharePoint.

Solution 3

Create Equivalent Custom Columns in SharePoint

If standard system columns refuse to sync due to known limitations in Access, creating custom mapped columns acts as a reliable workaround.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do default SharePoint columns disappear in Access?

Microsoft Access occasionally experiences sync limitations or caching issues when SharePoint lists undergo structural changes. This can cause default system-generated columns, like ID, Created, and Modified, to drop from the linked table view.

Can I edit the 'Created By' field directly in an Access linked table?

No. 'Created By' and 'Created' are system-generated, read-only fields managed automatically by SharePoint. Even when properly visible in Microsoft Access, they cannot be manually edited or updated.

What should I do if unhiding fields doesn't show the missing columns?

If the fields do not appear in the 'Unhide Fields' menu, you should clear your Access database cache from the 'Current Database' options, delete the table link, and establish a fresh connection to the SharePoint list.

Document & File Issues