How to Delete Table Relationships in Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access tables are the foundation of your Access databases. They hold all the records required to run queries, use forms, and create reports. In order to make more powerful queries, tables are often linked in various ways to create relationships between fields in tables. Table relationships can be created and deleted easily. You may need to delete table relationships if fields change or to create a new relationship between tables. Microsoft Access makes deleting table relationships a very straightforward process.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Open an existing Microsoft Access database with at least one existing relationship between tables.
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2
Go to "Tools -- Relationships" at the top of the screen.
Alternately, go to "Queries" in the database window if you created the relationship for a specific query. Sometimes a relationship link is created within a query instead of in the relationship design window. -
3
Single-click the query containing the relationship and choose "Design View." This step is only if you're viewing linked tables through a query.
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4
Right-click the thin line joining any two tables. Choose "Delete." The line will disappear. If there are multiple lines joining two tables, delete all links to completely remove the relationship between tables.
In "Design View" in the query window, unlink tables the same as described above. -
5
Close the query or relationship window and select "Yes" when asked if you want to save the changes. If you're not asked to save the changes, go to "File -- Save."
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1
Tips & Warnings
A table can be joined to multiple other tables. To remove all relationships, you must delete all ties to the table.
Ensure the relationship you delete isn't required to run any queries, forms, or reports. Objects may not work correctly if the relationship is deleted.
