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How to Fix Access 2021 Not Saving Make-Table Query Design Changes

Chanuka Geekiyanage Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to save design changes made to Make-Table queries after upgrading to Access 2021, and the application silently discards the changes without displaying an error message.

How to Fix Access 2021 Not Saving Make-Table Query Design Changes

Product: Microsoft Access 2021
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Modifying the design of a Make-Table query in Microsoft Access 2021.
Observed behavior: Changes made to the query design are not saved, and Microsoft Access silently reverts the modifications without providing any warning or error notification.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges for the database file and verify that the database file is not set to Read-Only in your Windows File Explorer properties.

Solution 1Recommended

Add the Database Folder to Trusted Locations in Trust Center

Updating the Trust Center settings ensures Access allows execution and modification of action queries without security blocks.

In newer versions of Microsoft Access, strict security protocols often block action queries (like Make-Table queries) from running or saving design changes if the file is not in a trusted location. This often happens silently without an error prompt.

Open Access Options

Open your database in Microsoft Access 2021. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Navigate to Trust Center

In the Access Options window, click on 'Trust Center' in the left pane, then click the 'Trust Center Settings' button on the right.

Add Trusted Location

Select 'Trusted Locations' from the left menu and click 'Add new location'. Browse to the folder containing your database, check the box to trust subfolders if necessary, and click 'OK'.

Save and Restart

Click 'OK' to close all settings windows. Restart Microsoft Access and attempt to save your query design changes again.

Add the Database Folder to Trusted Locations in Trust Center

Security Unblocked: Once the folder is trusted, Access will stop silently blocking your Make-Table query design updates.

Solution 2

Verify Database File and Object Permissions

Ensuring the file and specific query objects are not locked or read-only prevents Access from discarding your edits.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Access silently discard query changes without an error message?

Access may silently discard changes if the database is running from an untrusted location, triggering macro and query security blocks. Moving the file to a Trusted Location via the Trust Center usually resolves this.

Where do I find the Trust Center in Access 2021?

The Trust Center is not located in the Query menu. You can access it by clicking 'File', selecting 'Options' at the bottom, and then choosing 'Trust Center' from the left-hand navigation pane.

Can a Make-Table query be blocked by read-only permissions?

Yes. If the underlying database file (.accdb) is set to read-only in Windows File Explorer, or if network user permissions restrict write access, Access will not save any modifications made to queries.

What is an MTQ in Microsoft Access?

MTQ stands for Make-Table Query. It is a type of action query that retrieves data from one or more tables and uses that data to automatically create and populate a completely new table.

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