Sources of MDN Problems
Common Problems Opening MDN Files
Microsoft Access is Not Installed
You attempt to load your MDN file and get an error such as "%%os%% Can't Open The MDN File Extension". If this is the case, it's usually due to the fact that you do not have Microsoft Access for %%os%% installed on your computer. This will prevent you from double-clicking to open the MDN file because the OS doesn’t know how to handle it.
Tip: If you know of another program that can open your MDN file, you can try opening it by selecting the application from the programs listed.
Obsolete Version of Microsoft Access
In some cases, you might have a newer (or older) version of a Blank Access Database Template file that is unsupported by your installed application version. If you've got the wrong version of Microsoft Access installed, you'll need to install the correct version. This problem is predominately due to having a Blank Access Database Template file version that was created by a newer version of Microsoft Access than what you have installed on your PC.
Tip: Right-clicking on your MDN, then clicking "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), can provide clues about your file version.
Summary: In either case, the majority of problems opening MDN files are related to not having the correct software application installed on your computer.
Other MDN File Opening Causes
Assuming you have the right Microsoft Access version installed, other problems can prevent you from opening MDN files. There can be other issues - unrelated to software - preventing you from opening MDN files. Additional factors include:
- MDN file references in the Windows Registry are broken
- Mistaken removal of the Windows registry MDN description
- Corrupt install of Microsoft Access or other MDN-related program
- The MDN itself is corrupted
- The MDN is infected with a virus
- Device drivers of the hardware associated with your MDN file are corrupt or out-of-date
- Windows has inadequate resources to open your Blank Access Database Template file
Quiz: Which of the following is not a MIME type?
That's Correct!
Spreadsheet MIME types do not begin with the "spreadsheet/" prefix, but instead start with the "application/" prefix. For example, an OpenDocument Spreadsheet: "application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet".
Close, but not quite...
Spreadsheet MIME types do not begin with the "spreadsheet/" prefix, but instead start with the "application/" prefix. For example, an OpenDocument Spreadsheet: "application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet".