Recordset is not updateable -- where is help on MS Access 365?

Question

Recordset is not updateable -- where is help on MS Access 365?

Rob Curtis 20

For years I have just used Access 2007 on my laptop, though I have Office 365. As the disc wouldn't work on my Win11 PC, and the laptop has a problem, I finally decided to use the later access, and opened a 2007 database. I updated a number of records in a table and then I went to a query and found that now,it says the recordset is not updateable. I has always been so on the laptop for decades.

When I first opened the 365 Access, it said something about needing to be the administrator, but it seemed to make no difference till I went to change records in the query. I am the sole user of this personal computer and thus the administrator, so if that is why and it doesn't know that, what do I do.

Rob Curtis 20 Reputation points

2026-07-12T05:56:56.03+00:00

I looked and it says I am the adminstrator. No wonder I didn't want to update, as I remember not liking 2007 Access compared to the one I learned on. STUCK.

8 answers

Your answer

Rob Curtis 20 Reputation points

2026-07-12T05:56:56.03+00:00

I looked and it says I am the adminstrator. No wonder I didn't want to update, as I remember not liking 2007 Access compared to the one I learned on. STUCK.

Answer 1

Karl Donaubauer 3,501 MVP

Hi,

A table without primary key is always in danger to be not updateable in queries where you have other tables too. If you still need help, then you could go to the SQL view of the query and post the SQL text here.

Servus
Karl

Access Forever News DevCon

Access-Entwickler-Konferenz AEK

0 comments

Answer 2

George Hepworth 23,120 Volunteer Moderator

The screen shot you show, in which the message indicates that active content is blocked, indicates that the accdb is not in a trusted location on the new computer. While that should not necessarily prevent the query from updating, it depends on how you are trying to execute the update query.

0 comments

Answer 3

Rob Curtis 20

Before making the primary key, I wanted to back up the database under a new name. The 2007 format had gone, so I searched for help. I saw that it was now in "save as", and it asked if I wanted to save in a format the earlier version would recognize, so I agreed, but then it indicated it couldn't as it had features incompatible. So I just chose the default, changed the name, closed and then I got another message about needing to be the IT administration. As I said, I am the only user, and thus administrator, but, since I let the computer sleep overnight, I needed to sign in again. The message shown may be the reason and also my confusion whenever I have to sign in, there are 2 choices, personal and work, and I wonder why.

So maybe I need to choose the IT account, and do whatever is needed there?

User's image

Rob Curtis 20 Reputation points

2026-07-14T11:25:23.1866667+00:00

Now that I'm signed in how do I get that choice back. Always was confused as to which to choose.
Rob Curtis 20 Reputation points

2026-07-14T12:41:48.4666667+00:00

This is unbelievable. I realize it is because it is through Godaddy that I have office 365 and go there. As usual, doesn't accept my password and doesn't recognize me, so I have to call. On my Magicjack phone, it is so hard to understand with every word sounding like gargling, but I change the password and then I have to sign into email which also needs a change. I have her call back on my cell phone, but it's still the gargling sound, hard to understand every word. I make all the changes necessary and I still get the same message, which she asks me to send her. I have to go over each letter so carefully because of the distortion, but get it right and she get the message, but is saying things I can't understand about why it still doesn't change anything, reopening access with the same error message, and she can't email me. Says will send to the tech team and call back in an hour. Ove an hour on the 2 phones and got nowhere.
Anonymous

2026-07-15T04:22:07.4233333+00:00

Hi Rob Curtis

Regarding the "The active content in this file is blocked" issue shown in your screenshot, could you please check File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Trusted Locations to see whether the folder containing the database has already been added? If not, please try adding it as a Trusted Location, then reopen the database and let me know whether the issue persists.

If the database file was downloaded from the internet, you could also right-click the file, select Properties, and check whether an Unblock option is available.

I also found a similar thread discussing the same issue, which you may find helpful:

Active content in this file is blocked. Trust Center - Microsoft Q&A

Best regards,
Rob Curtis 20 Reputation points

2026-07-15T10:25:29.0633333+00:00

Was never on the Internet. I backed to an external HD on my laptop and then opened it from that on the PC. Godaddy never called back, after telling me she would talk to the technicians. I will call again and hope I don't have that horrible garbled connection where I can barely understand anything.
Rob Curtis 20 Reputation points

2026-07-15T10:38:49.2666667+00:00

So I thought I figured it out. I added the external drive to trusted location, and also checked 'run as administrator; thinking surely that was it. It did open without the usual warning, but when I went to the query, found it still not updateable. then I opened file location and it is showing shortcut on C:. Maybe one step closer.
Anonymous

2026-07-16T08:04:08.42+00:00

Hi Rob Curtis

Thank you for your update.

Would it be possible to share a sample copy of the database with me through this private message? I'd like to take a closer look at your database structure and try to reproduce the behavior in my test environment.

I look forward to your reply.

Best regards,

Answer 4

Rob Curtis 20

I am wondering why this worked for nearly decades with Access 2007, and then when I transfer the database trom my laptop to my PC and use Access 365, it becomes not updateable. I have another table where a primary key is used, just to number new entries, and in a query, using it. it never could be updated, the way it depends on the table.

I put primary key in search and reading about locked property. The way I used the table is if I get a species ID, I update the records easily. Does primary make species only show once? It is unique but sometimes the subjet(common name, may vary, like if it is a morph. I don't fully understand. User's image

George Hepworth 23,120 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-13T20:34:22.47+00:00

Unfortunately, you cropped the screenshot to eliminate useful information such as field names and omitting the Primary Key field. It's also unclear if this is a query or a table, although I'm leaning toward it being a query.

Show use the SQL for the query, if it is, in fact a query. Thank you.

Also, you didn't report whether an error is raised when you try to add records, and if so, what that error is. Or, if there is no error raised, tell us exactly what does happen.

Finally, one possible issue would be whether the accdb is in a Trusted Location on the computer to which you copied it.

Thanks for providing sufficient information for use to help you.
Rob Curtis 20 Reputation points

2026-07-14T04:32:54.8+00:00

I was just showing how multiple records of animals are possible, necesary actually.

When I try to change or correct anything, I get the mesage that it is not updateable. Always was on the laptop with Access 2007,before I put on this PC with Access 365. I am the only user of either computers.

Answer 5

Anonymous

Hi Rob Curtis

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum.

Based on your description, I understand that you can still update records directly in the table, but receive the "This Recordset is not updateable" error when working with the query in Access for Microsoft 365.

Since you mentioned that you have already confirmed you are using an administrator account, to help narrow down the cause, could you please check the following?

In Design View, does each table used in the query still have a Primary Key set (look for the key icon next to a field)?
How many tables does this query pull data from, and how are they joined?
Does the query include Totals (SUM, COUNT, AVG), or is it a Crosstab or Union query?

If possible, could you also send the following screenshots through a private message?

The query in Design View.
The relationships between the tables used by the query (if applicable).

Please understand that our initial reply may not always immediately resolve the issue. However, with your help and more detailed information, we can work together to find a solution.

I look forward to your update.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Rob Curtis 20 Reputation points

2026-07-12T11:18:12.87+00:00

there is no primary key, the the slide # allows no duplicates, so acts as one. I am attaching the screenshot of this simple query that allows me to keep track of new species added to the table and in further conjunctions allows me to have a phlylogenetically sorted report of all species. that report has numbers of species and numbers of images or videos of each. This occurs after I add a new species in the animals table, which has family names.

Attaching the problem query here, thanks.
Rob Curtis 20 Reputation points

2026-07-12T11:30:01.2333333+00:00

There is no primary key, the the slide # allows no duplicates, so acts as one. I am attaching the screenshot of this simple query that allows me to keep track of new species added to the table and in further conjunctions allows me to have a phlylogenetically sorted report of all species. that report has numbers of species and numbers of images or videos of each. This occurs after I add a new species in the animals table, which has family names. I get a spincircle when I try to add the image here, though it shows and is small.
Rob Curtis 20 Reputation points

2026-07-12T15:55:09.0166667+00:00

hERE IS THE sql
Duane Hookom 26,935 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-07-12T16:55:32.85+00:00

Try make the [animals 3].Species a primary key. Tables with numeric suffixes generally suggest an unnormalized database table structure.
Anonymous

2026-07-14T04:48:52.3633333+00:00

Hi Rob Curtis

Thank you for your update and for sharing the additional information.

Based on the details you've provided, and as Duane mentioned, I'd recommend trying to define a Primary Key for the appropriate table (for example, [animals 3].[Species] if each species is unique) and then testing whether the query becomes updateable.

I understand why this is confusing, especially since the same database worked as expected in Access 2007 for many years. However, based on the information available so far, I can't determine whether the change in behavior is related to the Access version itself or to differences in how the database is being interpreted in the new environment.

Please note that we're not Microsoft Support; this is a user-to-user community forum. Moderators here don't have access to your environment or Microsoft's backend systems, so I can only provide guidance based on public documentation and community experience.

Please let me know the results after trying this. If the issue persists, I'll be happy to continue investigating it with you.

Best regards,