Office Performance Issues

Fix Microsoft Access Out-of-Memory Error with ODBC-Linked Table Reports

Phi Hung Vo Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users encounter an out-of-memory error in Microsoft Access when attempting to open reports connected to ODBC-linked tables, typically following a recent Office update.

Fix Microsoft Access Out-of-Memory Error with ODBC-Linked Table Reports

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening simple or complex reports based on ODBC-linked tables after updating Microsoft Office.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Access displays an 'out of memory' error and fails to load the report, despite the system having sufficient available RAM.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved your current database progress and verify that your ODBC connections are active and properly configured before applying this workaround.

Solution 1Recommended

Pre-load a Basic Unlinked Report

Opening and closing a simple, unlinked report before accessing your ODBC-linked reports bypasses the memory error bug.

This is a known workaround for a bug introduced in specific Office updates. By forcing the Access reporting engine to initialize with local, non-linked data first, it prevents the memory mismanagement issue when subsequently loading ODBC data.

Create a basic report

Create a new report in Microsoft Access that contains only a simple text box. Do not connect this report to any data sources or linked tables.

Save the dummy report

Save this newly created report with an easily identifiable name, such as 'DummyReport'.

Open the basic report first

Whenever you launch your Access database, manually open 'DummyReport' in Report View before attempting to open any of your ODBC-linked reports.

Close the basic report

Close 'DummyReport'. You can now safely open your standard linked-table reports without triggering the out-of-memory error.

Workaround Successful: This manual process safely initializes the reporting engine without triggering the ODBC memory leak.

Solution 2

Automate the Workaround on Database Launch

Use VBA or Macros to automatically open and close the dummy report when your database's initial startup form loads.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Access show an out of memory error only on ODBC linked tables?

This error is often caused by a known bug introduced in specific Office updates. The update mismanages memory allocation when the Access reporting engine interacts specifically with external ODBC drivers, leading to a false 'out of memory' trigger.

Will repairing Microsoft Office fix this Access memory error?

Running an Office repair usually does not resolve this specific issue, as it is related to a bug within the application's recent update files rather than a corrupted installation. It is recommended to use the report workaround until Microsoft releases an official patch.

Does this out of memory issue affect all types of Access reports?

No, it primarily affects reports built on ODBC-linked tables. Reports based on local Access tables or non-ODBC data sources typically open without triggering the out-of-memory error.

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