Microsoft Access Linked Table Manager - Relink No Longer Prompting for Filename

Affleck, Kellen 0 Reputation points
2026-09-15T21:08:48.1366667+00:00

When I try to update the filename of a linked text file external data source, I am no longer getting the prompt to update the filename and it just refreshes the connection. How do I change the filename of my linked data source without having to use VBA or create a new connection?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | Other | Windows
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  1. George Hepworth 23,120 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-09-15T23:28:30.79+00:00

    Can one or both of you provide a repo of this behavior to share with microsoft? We'll need an accdb and a text file.
    Include the version and build you have installed.

    ?syscmd(acSysCmdGetFullVersion)
    Microsoft Access (Version 2608) Build 16.0.20326.20144 Current Channel 32-bit

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  2. George Hepworth 23,120 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-09-15T22:34:28.0233333+00:00

    Can you share a screenshot of what you do see? Your description of the state on the LTM doesn't match what I normally see, so I'm looking for clues to what could be different.

    The screenshot Chris D shared does show what we'd expect to see, except that it's for an Excel file, not a text file.

    Things that come to mind include ensuring that no one else is using it and whether you have the accdb open in exclusive mode. Also, that the object to which you are trying to link is not held open and locked by someone else.

    Thanks for providing more details.

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  3. Chris-D 1,515 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-15T21:46:06.27+00:00

    Hi Affleck,

    Thank you for sharing the details of your situation.

    In Microsoft Access, the Refresh option normally refreshes the existing connection without prompting you to select a different source file, particularly when the current file is still available.

    Since selecting Relink now refreshes the connection without prompting you to select a different file, please try editing the data source directly:

    1. Go to External Data > Linked Table Manager.
    2. User's image
    3. Select the linked text data source or linked table.
    4. Look for the Edit option, depending on your version of Access.
    5. User's image
    6. Browse to and select the replacement text file, then complete the relinking process.

    If Access continues to refresh the existing connection without displaying a file selection prompt, you can temporarily rename or move the original source file and then try relinking the table again. Since Access will no longer be able to locate the original file, it may prompt you to select the replacement file.

    After relinking, please verify that the delimiter, field names, and data types are still recognized correctly.

    If neither Relink/Edit nor the missing-file prompt allows you to select a different filename, the current interface may not support changing the filename directly for that linked text source. In that case, recreating the linked table or updating the connection through VBA may be required.

    I hope this information is helpful. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to share them in the comment below. I'm very happy to help.  

    I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this. 

    If the answer is helpful, please click 'Yes' and kindly upvote it.

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