How to Fix Access #DELETED Errors After Office 365 Version 2205 Update
Question details
Users report seeing #DELETED across all rows in Access applications linked to SQL Server after updating Microsoft Office.
- Product
- Microsoft Access
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing or interacting with SQL Server linked tables in Microsoft Access.
- Observed behavior
- Valid data is replaced with #DELETED errors after the Office 365 version 2205 update due to an ODBC compatibility bug.
Ensure you have administrative privileges to roll back Office updates or install new drivers, and always back up your SQL Server database before making schema changes.
Roll Back to Office 365 Version 2204
Since this is a known bug in version 2205, reverting to the previous stable build is the most reliable immediate fix.
Rolling back your Office installation will restore standard ODBC functionality until Microsoft deploys a permanent patch for the version 2205 bug.
Open Access or any Office application, navigate to File > Account, click on Update Options, and select Disable Updates to prevent the system from automatically reinstalling the buggy version.
Click the Windows Start menu, type 'cmd', right-click on Command Prompt, and select 'Run as administrator'.
Type the Office deployment tool command (e.g., '"%programfiles%\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.15128.20248') and press Enter to revert to the 2204 build.
Upgrade to ODBC Driver 17 or 18
Updating the SQL Server connection driver can resolve the incompatibility introduced by the Office 2205 update.
Change SQL Server Primary Key Data Types
Modifying the primary key field types from NVARCHAR to VARCHAR in your database is a structural workaround to bypass the error.
Experience a Stable and Lightweight Office Alternative
While WPS Office does not include a database application like Access, it serves as an excellent, free alternative for your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint tasks. If Microsoft Office updates are causing workflow disruptions, try WPS Office for a reliable, highly compatible, and lightweight productivity suite.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Suite: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to install the software.
- 3. Open and Edit: Instantly open your existing Office files without worrying about formatting loss or compatibility bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Access show #DELETED in linked tables?
This typically occurs if a record is deleted by another user, if the table lacks a primary key, or due to a known bug (like in Office 365 version 2205) affecting ODBC connections to SQL Server.
When will Microsoft fix the version 2205 bug?
Microsoft continuously deploys patches for known issues. You can check for newer builds by navigating to File > Account > Update Options in Access and clicking Update Now.
Do I need to refresh linked tables after updating the ODBC driver?
Yes. After installing ODBC Driver 17 or 18, you must use the Linked Table Manager in Access to refresh the connections, ensuring your application points to the new driver.
