Applies ToAccess 2021

Access 2021 lets you build and share a database in seconds. You supply the information and Access does the rest, making it easy to create and structure your data. Reports and queries put your data into the format you want, so your applications consistently look great.

If you're upgrading to Access 2021 from Access 2019, you'll still have all the features you're used to—and you'll notice a few new ones as well!

Note: All features listed here, unless otherwise noted, are also included in Access LTSC 2021 for commercial customers.

Add tables with fewer clicks

Use the Add Tables task pane, which stays open while you work, to add tables to relationships and queries.

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Access screen with Add Tables Pane open

Keep tabs on your database objects

You can clearly see the active tab, easily drag tabs to rearrange them, and close database objects with just one click.

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A data table with tabs that can be rearranged

Refresh, relink, or remove linked tables

The updated Linked Table Manager is a central location for viewing and managing all data sources and linked tables in an Access database. From time-to-time you may need to refresh, relink, find, edit, or delete linked tables. This is because of changes to the data source location, table name, or table schema.

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Linked Table Manager dialog box

The Date/Time Extended data type has better precision

We’ve implemented the DateTime2 data type into Access to enhance syntax compatibility with SQL to increase accuracy and level of detail in records that include dates and times. The DateTime2 data type includes a larger date range (0001-01-01 through 9999-12-31) with higher-specified time precision (nanoseconds, rather than seconds).

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Shows Access datatype

Dark theme support

The dark gray and black themes are perfect for those who prefer a softer take on high-contrast visuals.

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Settings for Office theme

Improvements to SQL View

Use the Find and Replace dialog box in SQL View to search for and replace text in an SQL statement, which is especially useful for long statements.

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Find and Replace dialog box

Improvements to the Query Designer

We’ve added new time-saving options for table objects. In Query Design View, right-click to select Open, Design View or Size to Fit.

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Open and Design View right-click menu commands

Improvements to the Relationships Window

Quickly adjust the table size to reveal additional fields and relationships, select a subset of tables and relationships, and scroll horizontally and vertically by using the mouse scroll wheel.

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The Access Relationships window

Pick the perfect color

Based on your feedback, we’ve added a new input field in the Colors dialog for Hex color values. No need to spend time converting Hex color values into RGB values.

For any property where you can define a color in Access, you can now enter a Hex color value in the Hex box, for example, #0F4C81 or 444.

Color picker in Office apps. Under the RGB fields there is a new field to enter Hex color value.

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