Free online MDB to XLSX converter

Source format

MDB is the older Microsoft Access database file format used by legacy versions of Microsoft Access. It can store tables, queries, forms, reports, macros, relationships, and other database objects, although not every MDB file contains all of them. In practice, MDB files are often found in older business systems and desktop applications that still rely on Access data.

For MDB to XLSX conversion, the main goal is usually to move table data into a spreadsheet. Excel does not preserve Access-specific behavior such as queries, relationships, forms, reports, or VBA code, so the conversion is best understood as data export rather than full database conversion.

Target format

XLSX is the modern Microsoft Excel workbook format based on Office Open XML. It is the default spreadsheet format in current versions of Excel and is also supported by many other spreadsheet programs, including LibreOffice Calc and Google Sheets.

XLSX supports multiple worksheets, formulas, formatting, charts, filters, and large datasets. It is a good choice when you want to analyze MDB table data in a spreadsheet, share it with others, or continue editing it in Excel.

How to convert MDB to XLSX

The best method depends on whether you have Microsoft Access installed and whether you need a quick export or a more controlled result.

Method 1: Export from Microsoft Access

1. Open the .mdb file in Microsoft Access.
2. In the Navigation Pane, select the table you want to export.
3. Go to External Data → Export → Excel.
4. Choose the destination file name and save it as .xlsx.
5. In the export options, choose whether to export data only or include formatting and layout where available.
6. Repeat the export for each table you want in Excel.

This is usually the most reliable approach because Access reads the database structure directly.

Method 2: Use LibreOffice

LibreOffice can sometimes open MDB data through its database tools, depending on your system and installed components. If the database opens successfully, you can copy table data into LibreOffice Calc and then save the result as .xlsx using File → Save As.

This method is best for simple tables. Complex Access objects and database logic will not transfer cleanly.

Method 3: Use the 101convert.com online converter

You can convert the file on 101convert.com for free without installing any software. Upload the .mdb file, choose .xlsx as the output format, and download the converted spreadsheet when it is ready. This is convenient for quick conversions when you only need the table data.

Quality and limitations

MDB to XLSX is not a full database migration. Only the data that can be represented in a spreadsheet will transfer well. Queries, forms, reports, macros, relationships, and VBA code do not become native Excel features.

If the MDB file contains multiple tables, each table may need to be exported separately, often into separate worksheets or separate files. Data types such as dates, currency, memo fields, and yes/no values should be checked after conversion to make sure they display correctly in Excel.

Very large databases may exceed Excel worksheet limits, especially the maximum of 1,048,576 rows per sheet. In that case, split the data across multiple worksheets or files. Password-protected MDB files or databases that use older Access-specific features may not open correctly in every converter.

If you only need to move a few tables into a spreadsheet, XLSX is usually the best destination format. If you need to preserve the full database structure, consider keeping the data in Access or migrating it to another database system instead.