Use a template to create an Access desktop database

If you want to organize and manage your data with Access but just don't want to spend time creating a database from scratch, try using a desktop database template.

What is an Access template?

An Access template is a file that, when opened, creates a complete database application. The database is ready to use, and contains all the tables, forms, reports, queries, macros, and relationships that you need to start working. Because the templates are designed to be complete end-to-end database solutions, they save you time and effort and enable you to start using your database right away. After creating a database by using a template, you can customize the database to better suit your needs, just as if you had built the database from scratch.

Select a template

Each template is designed to meet specific data management needs and you can either use one of the templates included with Access or find one online.

Start with a template from your computer

1. On the Access startup screen, click Suggested searches: Access databases.

Tip:  Click a Category in the Filter by pane to templates filtered by specific categories.

1. Click an icon to select a template and enter a File Name.

2. To change the default database file location, click the folder icon next to the File Name > Create.

Note: To create an Access database for the web with a template, see Create an Access app from a template.

Start with an online template

If you are connected to the Internet, you can search for online templates:

1. On the Access startup screen, enter the type of template you want in the Search box.

2. Access shows you the available online templates.

3. Click the icon to select a template and add a File Name.

4. To change the default database file location, click the folder icon next to the File Name > Create.

Before you start using some templates

Depending on the template that you use, if you see any of the following messages, here's what you do:

If you see	Do this
SECURITY WARNING message in the message bar	If you trust the source of the template, click Enable Content.
Login dialog with an empty list of users	Click New User and fill in the User Details form. Click Save & Close. Select the user name you just entered, and click Login.
Getting Started page	Click links on that page to learn more about the database, or click other buttons and tabs to explore the database.