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Fix Access Error 3078 After Migrating Tables to SQL Server

Ayan Masood Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is encountering Error 3078 in a Microsoft Access front end after migrating tables to SQL Server, preventing the application from finding a specific table or query.

How to Fix Access Error 3078 After Migrating to SQL Server

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Migrating an Access database to use SQL Server Express as the backend.
Observed behavior: The system throws Error 3078 because a DLookup function references a table named dbo.tblAccess, which cannot be found due to Access modifying the name of the linked table.

Before you start

Before updating table names, ensure that your SQL Server Express instance is running and that your Access front end has active ODBC connections to the new database backend.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify and Update Linked Table Names

Use the Linked Table Manager to check how Access renamed your tables during the migration and update your queries accordingly.

When tables are linked from SQL Server, Access handles schemas differently. The default 'dbo' schema in SQL Server is converted, often changing a table named 'dbo.tblAccess' to 'dbo_tblAccess'.

Open Linked Table Manager

Open your Access database and navigate to the 'External Data' tab. Click on 'Linked Table Manager' in the Import & Link group.

Identify the actual table name

Locate your SQL Server tables in the list and note the exact names Access has assigned them (e.g., 'dbo_tblAccess').

Update DLookup references

Open your VBA modules or queries containing the DLookup function and change references from 'dbo.tblAccess' to the exact linked table name found in the previous step.

Naming Tip: You can manually rename the linked table in the Access navigation pane to 'tblAccess' to simplify your VBA code and query references.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Access change table names from SQL Server?

Access does not use database schemas in the same way SQL Server does. When it links to a SQL Server table in the 'dbo' schema, it replaces the dot with an underscore to prevent syntax conflicts, renaming 'dbo.tablename' to 'dbo_tablename'.

Can I permanently rename a linked table in Access?

Yes, you can right-click the linked table in the Access Navigation Pane and select 'Rename'. Renaming the link only changes how Access refers to the table locally and does not affect the actual table name in SQL Server.

What does Error 3078 mean in Access?

Error 3078 indicates that the Microsoft Access database engine cannot find the input table or query. This usually happens if the table was deleted, renamed, or if there is a typo in your SQL statement or VBA function (like DLookup).

Do I need to update all my queries after migrating to SQL Server?

If the table names changed during the linking process (such as the addition of the 'dbo_' prefix), you must update any saved queries, macros, and VBA modules that reference the old local table names to use the new linked names.

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