Running an update query repeatedly may cause database bloat in Access 2002 (295245)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2002, when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q295245
Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

This article applies only to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb).

SYMPTOMS

Running an update query repeatedly may cause a database to bloat (to grow larger).

RESOLUTION

To avoid this issue, compact the database. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Open your database.
  2. On the Tools Menu, click Database Utilities, and then click Compact and Repair.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

  1. On a Windows 98-based computer, create a new database, and then save it as db1.
  2. Import a large table.
  3. On the File menu, click Database Properties.
  4. On the General tab of the property sheet, note the size of the database.
  5. On the View menu, point to Database Objects, and then click Queries.
  6. Click New.
  7. In the New Query dialog box, click Design View, and then click OK.
  8. In the Show Table dialog box, click the table that you just imported, click Add, and then click Close.
  9. On Query menu, click Update.
  10. Add any text field to the query design grid, and then in the Update To row, type new text.
  11. Save the query as qryTest.
  12. Click Run on the Query menu to run the qryTest query.
  13. Close the query.
  14. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to check the size of the database.
  15. Run the query a second time.
  16. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to check the size of the database.

    Note that the size of db1.mdb has increased even though the second time that you ran the query, the data was updated to the same values.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/10/2004
Keywords:kbQuery kbprb kbnofix KB295245
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