Connecting to Access Creates Lock File

Issue

When you connect to a Microsoft Access database from Tableau Desktop, Microsoft Access creates a temporary lock file that prevents the database from being updated by other users or software.

Environment

Tableau Desktop
Microsoft Access

Resolution

Connect to an extract of the Microsoft Access database instead of using a live connection. For more information, see Extract Your Data in Tableau Help.

Cause

This is a correct behavior of Microsoft Access database. When an Access database file (.mdb) is opened in shared mode, Access also creates a locking information file (.ldb) with the same file name and in the same folder as the database file. This locking information file stores the computer name and security name of each shared user of the database. Access uses this information to control concurrency. In most cases, Access automatically deletes the locking information file when the last user closes the database file.