Microsoft Access MCP Server

A comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) server providing 360 tools that cover 100% of the practical Microsoft Access COM/DAO automation surface. Works with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), and any MCP-compatible client.

Overview

This MCP server enables AI assistants to interact with Microsoft Access databases through a complete toolset spanning:

• Connection & database lifecycle - Connect, create, backup, compact/repair, close
• Tables, fields & schema - Full DDL: create/alter/rename/drop tables and fields, indexes, calculated fields, multi-value fields
• Queries & SQL - Create/update/delete queries, execute SQL, passthrough queries, action queries, parameterized queries
• Relationships - Create, update, delete relationships with referential integrity
• Forms & controls - Create forms, open/close, get/set control properties, runtime state, conditional formatting
• Reports & grouping - Create reports, grouping/sorting, output/print, control properties
• VBA & modules - Full VBA IDE automation: get/set code, compile, run procedures, manage references, module analysis
• Macros - Create/update/run/delete macros, data macros, AutoExec
• Linked tables - Create/refresh/relink/delete linked tables, ODBC links, refresh all
• Transactions - Begin/commit/rollback with status tracking
• DAO recordsets - Open/navigate/CRUD recordset operations with bookmarks and filtering
• Database properties - Application options, startup properties, custom properties, DAO documents
• TempVars - Set/get/remove/clear TempVars
• Attachments - Add/remove/save attachment fields
• Import/export - XML exchange, navigation pane XML, import/export specs, schema snapshots, VBA export
• Navigation groups - Create/delete groups, add/remove objects
• Security & encryption - Database passwords, encryption
• Printing - PrintOut, OutputTo, printer management
• DoCmd operations - Comprehensive DoCmd surface (beep, echo, hourglass, send object, follow hyperlink, etc.)
• pyodbc compatibility - Drop-in replacement for 7 core pyodbc-access data tools

Architecture

The solution consists of two components:

1. MS.Access.MCP.Interop - A .NET 8.0 interop library providing COM/DAO late-binding access to Microsoft Access. Handles exclusive mode, dialog dismissal, process lifecycle, and OleDb connectivity.
2. MS.Access.MCP.Official - A self-contained MCP server implementing the JSON-RPC stdio transport. Supports MCP protocol versions 2024-11-05 and 2025-11-25 with full capability negotiation (tools, resources, prompts, logging, completions).

Prerequisites

• Windows operating system
• Microsoft Access installed (for COM interop)
• .NET 8.0 runtime
• Access database file (.accdb or .mdb)

Installation

Building from Source

1. Clone or download this repository
2. Build the solution:

   dotnet build
   

3. Publish the official server:

   dotnet publish MS.Access.MCP.Official/MS.Access.MCP.Official.csproj -c Release -r win-x64 --self-contained true -o ./mcp-server-official-x64
   

Repeatable x64 Publish + Promotion

Use this from repo root for repeatable release promotion with backup safety:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\publish-and-promote-x64.ps1

What this script does:

1. Publishes to a timestamped staging folder (mcp-server-official-x64-run-*)
2. Stops running MS.Access.MCP.Official processes (default behavior) to unlock the target folder
3. Renames the active target to mcp-server-official-x64-backup-*
4. Promotes staging to mcp-server-official-x64
5. Runs an MCP initialize smoke test against the promoted exe
6. Writes mcp-server-official-x64\release-validation.json after smoke success (includes git_commit, regression_run, and regression_passed)

If promotion fails with Access denied, one or more server processes are still running under a context this shell cannot terminate. Rerun from an elevated PowerShell session after stopping MS.Access.MCP.Official.

Rollback behavior:

1. If promotion fails after a backup was created, the script attempts to restore the previous target from mcp-server-official-x64-backup-*.
2. If -RunRegression is enabled and regression fails after promotion, the script archives the promoted target as mcp-server-official-x64-regression-failed-* and restores the backup target.
3. If backup restore fails in step 2, the script attempts to restore the archived promoted target so an active target remains.

Backup retention options:

# Keep all backups (default behavior)
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\publish-and-promote-x64.ps1 -BackupRetentionCount 0

# Keep only the newest 5 backup directories
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\publish-and-promote-x64.ps1 -BackupRetentionCount 5

Cleanup stale release folders:

# Prune stale run/smoke folders, keep newest 5 in each set (default)
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\prune-release-artifacts.ps1

# Preview cleanup without deleting anything
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\prune-release-artifacts.ps1 -WhatIf

# Also prune backups explicitly, keeping newest 3 backups
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\prune-release-artifacts.ps1 -IncludeBackups -BackupRetentionCount 3

If you need to skip automatic server process shutdown:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\publish-and-promote-x64.ps1 -StopServerProcesses $false

If you need a framework-dependent publish instead of self-contained output:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\publish-and-promote-x64.ps1 -SelfContained $false

Use framework-dependent output only for targeted diagnostics; normal MCP client/runtime config should keep using the validated mcp-server-official-x64 promoted binary.

Optional full regression invocation as part of release:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\publish-and-promote-x64.ps1 `
  -RunRegression `
  -RegressionDatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb"

Use -RunRegression when you intend to consume the promoted binary with strict repair selection (-RequireRegressionBackedManifest).

Repair + Verify Hardening

Use this from repo root to clean stale state, enforce trusted location, validate candidate binaries with initialize smoke + connect_access, and run full regression. By default, candidate manifests must include git_commit matching repo HEAD.

# Full hardening run (includes regression and both config updates)
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -UpdateConfigs

# Dry-run / WhatIf
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -UpdateConfigs `
  -WhatIf

# Config update toggle: update only Codex config
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -UpdateCodexConfig

# Config update toggle: update only Claude config
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -UpdateClaudeConfig

# Optional: override Claude config path (default resolves %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json,
# then falls back to %USERPROFILE%\.claude.json if present)
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -UpdateClaudeConfig `
  -ClaudeConfigPath "C:\path\to\claude_desktop_config.json"

# Default: require validated x64 promoted binary and manifest git_commit matching HEAD
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb"

# Optional: bypass git_commit vs HEAD enforcement (diagnostics only)
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -AllowManifestHeadMismatch

# Strict mode: require regression-backed validation manifest for candidate selection
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -RequireRegressionBackedManifest

# Strict mode override: allow non-regression manifest while keeping strict flag visible
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -RequireRegressionBackedManifest `
  -AllowNonRegressionManifest

# Optional: allow unvalidated binaries (diagnostics only)
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -AllowUnvalidatedBinary

# Optional: include x86 candidate
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -AllowX86Fallback

Configuration

Claude Desktop Configuration

Add the following to your Claude Desktop configuration file (%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "access-mcp": {
      "command": "C:\\path\\to\\mcp-server-official-x64\\MS.Access.MCP.Official.exe",
      "args": []
    }
  }
}

Claude Code Configuration

claude mcp add access-mcp -- "C:\path\to\mcp-server-official-x64\MS.Access.MCP.Official.exe"

VS Code Configuration (GitHub Copilot)

Add to .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace:

{
  "servers": {
    "access-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "C:\\path\\to\\mcp-server-official-x64\\MS.Access.MCP.Official.exe",
      "args": []
    }
  }
}

Notes:

• Use the absolute path to your MCP server executable with double backslashes in JSON.
• The server auto-discovers databases: pass database_path to connect_access, set the ACCESS_DATABASE_PATH env var, or place a .accdb file in your Documents folder.
• repair-and-verify-access-mcp.ps1 -UpdateClaudeConfig updates either mcpServers.access-mcp-server.command or mcpServers.access-mcp.command (whichever exists) and fails fast if neither key is present.

Available Tools (360)

The server exposes 360 tools covering the full practical Access COM/DAO surface. Below is a summary by category — run tools/list for the complete schema with argument definitions.

Connection & Database Lifecycle

connect_access, disconnect_access, is_connected, close_access, close_database, launch_access, create_database, backup_database, compact_repair_database

Tables & Schema

get_tables, create_table, delete_table, describe_table, rename_table, get_system_tables, get_table_properties, get_table_custom_property, set_table_custom_property, get_table_description, set_table_description, get_table_validation

Fields

add_field (with format/decimal_places/description/default_value), alter_field, rename_field, drop_field, get_field_properties, get_field_attributes, set_field_required, set_field_format, set_field_description, set_field_validation, set_field_input_mask, set_field_caption, set_field_decimal_places, set_field_default, set_field_allow_zero_length, set_field_append_only, add_calculated_field, detect_multi_value_fields, get_multi_value_field_values, set_multi_value_field_values

Queries & SQL

create_query, update_query, delete_query, get_queries, execute_sql, execute_sql_timed, execute_query_md, execute_action_query, set_parameter, get_query_parameters, get_query_properties, set_query_properties, set_query_advanced_properties, create_passthrough_query

Relationships & Indexes

create_relationship, update_relationship, delete_relationship, get_relationships, create_index (with ignore_nulls), delete_index, get_indexes

Linked Tables

create_linked_table / link_table, refresh_linked_table / refresh_link, update_linked_table / relink_table, delete_linked_table / unlink_table, list_linked_tables, refresh_all_linked_tables, create_odbc_linked_table

Transactions

begin_transaction / start_transaction, commit_transaction, rollback_transaction, transaction_status

Forms

create_form, delete_form, form_exists, get_forms, open_form (full params: view, filter, where, data_mode, window_mode), close_form, get_form_controls, get_control_properties, set_control_property, get_form_runtime_state, get_active_form

Reports

create_report, delete_report, get_reports, open_report (full params), close_report, get_report_controls, get_report_control_properties, set_report_control_property, get_report_grouping, set_report_grouping, delete_report_grouping, get_report_sorting, set_report_sorting, output_to, print_out, get_active_report

DAO Recordsets

open_recordset, close_recordset, recordset_get_rows, recordset_get_record, recordset_get_string, recordset_add_record, recordset_delete_record, recordset_edit_record, recordset_count, recordset_find, recordset_move, recordset_bookmark, recordset_filter_sort, recordset_seek, recordset_clone

VBA & Modules

get_vba_code, set_vba_code, compile_vba, is_vba_compiled, add_vba_procedure, run_vba_procedure, execute_vba, get_vba_projects, get_vba_references, add_vba_reference, remove_vba_reference, create_module, delete_module, rename_module, get_modules, get_module_info, get_module_declarations, list_procedures, list_all_procedures, get_procedure_code, find_text_in_module, insert_lines, delete_lines, replace_line, get_compilation_errors, export_all_vba, get_vba_project_properties, set_vba_project_properties

Macros

create_macro, update_macro, delete_macro, get_macros, run_macro (with repeat count), export_macro_to_text, import_macro_from_text

Persistence & Versioning

export_form_to_text, import_form_from_text, export_report_to_text, import_report_from_text (both support mode="access_text")

Database Properties & Metadata

get_database_properties, get_database_property, set_database_property, get_database_summary_properties, set_database_summary_properties, get_application_info, get_application_option, set_application_option, get_current_project_data, get_database_engine_info, get_database_statistics, get_object_metadata, get_object_dates, get_current_user, get_autoexec_info, get_containers, get_container_documents, get_document_properties, set_document_property, get_open_objects, is_object_loaded, get_current_object

Startup Properties

get_startup_properties, set_startup_properties, get_startup_properties_extended, set_startup_properties_extended

TempVars

set_temp_var, get_temp_vars, remove_temp_var, clear_temp_vars

Attachments

add_attachment_file, remove_attachment_file, get_attachment_files, get_attachment_metadata, save_attachment_to_disk

Import/Export & XML

export_xml, import_xml, export_navigation_pane_xml, export_schema_snapshot, create_import_export_spec, delete_import_export_spec, get_import_export_spec, list_import_export_specs

Data Macros

run_data_macro, delete_data_macro, export_data_macro_axl, import_data_macro_axl, get_table_data_macros

Conditional Formatting

add_conditional_formatting, update_conditional_formatting, delete_conditional_formatting, clear_conditional_formatting, get_conditional_formatting, list_all_conditional_formats

Navigation Groups

create_navigation_group, delete_navigation_group, get_navigation_groups, add_navigation_group_object, remove_navigation_group_object, get_navigation_group_objects

DoCmd Operations

run_sql, run_command, beep, echo, hourglass, set_warnings, refresh_database_window, requery, show_all_records, apply_filter, open_table, open_query, save_object, close_object, rename_object, copy_object, delete_object, select_object, goto_record, goto_page, goto_control, find_record, find_next, maximize_window, minimize_window, restore_window, move_size, send_object, output_to, print_out, browse_to, navigate_to, follow_hyperlink, run_autoexec, sys_cmd, search_for_record

Security & Encryption

set_database_password, remove_database_password, get_database_security, encrypt_database

Printing

list_printers, get_printer_info, set_default_printer

Subdatasheet Properties

get_subdatasheet_properties, set_subdatasheet_properties, reset_subdatasheet_properties

Controls

control_set_focus, control_requery, control_undo, combobox_dropdown, listbox_add_item, listbox_remove_item, listbox_get_items, control_set_zorder, get_tab_control_pages

Analysis & Dependencies

get_object_dependencies, get_table_dependencies, get_record_source_fields, find_and_replace_in_vba

Miscellaneous

access_error, build_criteria, set_hidden_attribute, get_hidden_attribute, get_access_hwnd, set_access_visible, reset_autonumber, get_object_events, set_object_event, find_duplicate_records, check_referential_integrity, list_odbc_data_sources, domain_aggregate

pyodbc Compatibility Layer (7 tools)

Drop-in replacement for the core data tools from pyodbc-access (OpenLink mcp-pyodbc-server):

podbc_get_schemas, podbc_get_tables, podbc_filter_table_names, podbc_describe_table, podbc_query_database, podbc_execute_query, podbc_execute_query_md

MCP Resources (13 static + 9 templates)

The server exposes read-only resources for database introspection without tool calls:

Static resources (resources/list):

• access://connection — Current connection status and database path
• access://tables, access://queries, access://relationships — Schema objects
• access://forms, access://reports, access://macros, access://modules — Application objects
• access://linked-tables — Linked table catalog
• access://vba-projects — VBA project structure
• access://database-properties — Database-level properties (system + custom)
• access://security — Password status and encryption info
• access://statistics — Table record counts, sizes, file info

URI templates (resources/templates/list):

• access://schema/{tableName} — Column definitions for a table
• access://table-data/{tableName} — First 50 rows of a table
• access://form-controls/{formName} — Controls for a form
• access://report-controls/{reportName} — Controls for a report
• access://query-sql/{queryName} — SQL text of a query
• access://vba-code/{moduleName} — VBA source code of a module
• access://field-properties/{tableName}/{fieldName} — Field-level properties
• access://index-details/{tableName} — Index definitions
• access://table-relationships/{tableName} — Relationships involving a table

MCP Prompts (9)

Pre-built prompt templates for common analysis tasks:

• schema_analysis — Analyze database schema and suggest improvements
• query_optimization — Optimize a SQL query for performance
• debug_query — Debug a failing or incorrect query (arg: query_text)
• normalized_schema — Design a normalized schema from requirements (arg: requirements)
• data_dictionary — Generate a data dictionary for the database
• migration_plan — Plan migration to another database platform (arg: target_platform)
• performance_analysis — Identify missing indexes, slow queries, optimization opportunities
• security_audit — Audit password protection, macro settings, linked table security
• index_optimization — Recommend optimal indexes for a table (arg: table_name)

Usage Examples

Basic Connection and Discovery

{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "connect_access",
    "arguments": {
      "database_path": "C:\\path\\to\\database.accdb"
    }
  }
}

Table Operations

{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 2,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "get_tables",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}

VBA Code Management

{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 3,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "set_vba_code",
    "arguments": {
      "project_name": "CurrentProject",
      "module_name": "Module1",
      "code": "Sub TestProcedure()\n    MsgBox \"Hello World\"\nEnd Sub"
    }
  }
}

Form Export/Import

{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 4,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "export_form_to_text",
    "arguments": {
      "form_name": "MyForm"
    }
  }
}

CI

This repository includes three GitHub Actions workflows:

• windows-hosted-build-smoke.yml runs on GitHub-hosted windows-latest for push and pull_request. It validates publish/build health and runs an MCP initialize smoke test that does not require Microsoft Access. Build artifacts are uploaded with 30-day retention.
• windows-self-hosted-access-regression.yml runs on self-hosted Windows (workflow_dispatch plus weekly schedule) and executes tests\full_toolset_regression.ps1, tests\full_toolset_negative_paths.ps1, and tests\podbc_compat_regression.ps1. It requires Microsoft Access on the runner and an ACCESS_DATABASE_PATH value provided by dispatch input (access_database_path) or secret (ACCESS_DATABASE_PATH), and asserts that database-lifecycle, secure-connect, and podbc compatibility coverage markers are present in logs. When a display is available, UI coverage tests (-IncludeUiCoverage) are also run.
• release.yml runs on tag push (v*). It builds, runs the smoke test, zips the published output, and creates a GitHub Release with the zip attached and auto-generated release notes.

Bootstrap GitHub auth/secret/workflow setup from terminal:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\bootstrap-github-actions.ps1 `
  -SetDatabaseSecret `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb" `
  -TriggerRegressionWorkflow

Testing

Running the Full Regression Test

Use the committed PowerShell harness to validate every currently exposed MCP tool in one run:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\tests\full_toolset_regression.ps1

Optional arguments:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\tests\full_toolset_regression.ps1 `
  -ServerExe "C:\path\to\MS.Access.MCP.Official.exe" `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb"

UI coverage mode:

# Default behavior is headless (prevents Access UI pop-ups during automation)
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\tests\full_toolset_regression.ps1

# Opt-in only when you intentionally want UI-opening tool coverage
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\tests\full_toolset_regression.ps1 -IncludeUiCoverage

The script verifies:

1. Connection lifecycle and status checks
2. Table creation/query/description/deletion
3. Database lifecycle coverage for create_database, backup_database, and compact_repair_database using ephemeral local .accdb files
4. Deterministic schema evolution coverage (add_field, alter_field, rename_field, drop_field, rename_table)
5. SQL execution and markdown query output
6. VBA set/add/get/compile flows
7. Form import/export/control discovery/edit/delete in JSON mode, plus mode="access_text" export/import round-trip persistence checks
8. Report import/export/delete in JSON mode, plus mode="access_text" export/import round-trip persistence checks
9. Macro create/export/run/update/delete plus import_macro_from_text round-trip verification
10. Metadata discovery and Access COM automation calls
11. Linked-table tranche-1 coverage using a local copied .accdb source (no external database server dependency), including explicit alias-path calls beyond candidate resolution (link_table, refresh_link, relink_table, unlink_table when exposed)
12. Transaction tranche-1 coverage validating rollback/commit visibility through deterministic SQL checks, including explicit alias-path begin coverage (start_transaction when exposed)

By default, linked-table, transaction, and database lifecycle coverage are required: if those tool families are missing from tools/list, the harness records FAIL and increments TOTAL_FAIL.

If you are intentionally validating a reduced server surface, use:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\tests\full_toolset_regression.ps1 -AllowCoverageSkips

Pass criterion: TOTAL_FAIL=0 and process exit code 0.

Running the Negative-Path Regression Test

Use this harness to validate failure contracts (expected success=false + preflight coverage on disconnected operations), including invalid-path checks for create_database/backup_database/compact_repair_database and secure-argument validation coverage for connect_access:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\tests\full_toolset_negative_paths.ps1

Optional arguments:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\tests\full_toolset_negative_paths.ps1 `
  -ServerExe "C:\path\to\MS.Access.MCP.Official.exe" `
  -DatabasePath "C:\path\to\database.accdb"

Pass criterion: output contains NEGATIVE_PATHS_PASS=1 and process exit code 0.

Manual Protocol Probe

To test the server manually:

echo {"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"initialize","params":{"protocolVersion":"2025-11-25","capabilities":{},"clientInfo":{"name":"test","version":"1.0"}}} | .\mcp-server-official-x64\MS.Access.MCP.Official.exe

This should return a proper MCP initialize response with server info and capabilities.

Development

The server implements the MCP JSON-RPC stdio transport directly (no external MCP SDK dependency). It:

1. Reads JSON-RPC messages line-by-line from stdin
2. Negotiates protocol version (supports 2024-11-05 and 2025-11-25)
3. Dispatches to handlers for initialize, ping, tools/list, tools/call, resources/*, prompts/*, completion/complete, logging/setLevel
4. Executes Access operations via the Interop library (COM late-binding + OleDb)
5. Returns JSON-RPC responses on stdout

Key Features

• Full COM/DAO Interop: Late-binding access to the complete Access object model
• 360 Tools: Covers connection, DDL, DML, forms, reports, VBA, macros, recordsets, properties, attachments, navigation groups, conditional formatting, data macros, security, printing, and more
• Exclusive Mode: Automatic exclusive DB access for DDL operations with process lifecycle management
• Dialog Dismisser: Background thread auto-dismisses modal Access/VBA dialogs during batch operations
• MCP Resources: 13 static resources + 9 URI templates (connection, tables, queries, relationships, properties, security, statistics, per-table data preview, per-form/report controls)
• MCP Prompts: 9 prompt templates for schema analysis, query debugging, normalization, performance analysis, security auditing, and index optimization
• Preflight Diagnostics: Error responses include bitness, ACE provider, Trust Center indicators, error category, and operation name
• listChanged Notifications: Resource list change notifications on connect/disconnect/close
• pyodbc Compatibility: Drop-in replacement for 7 core pyodbc-access tools

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Access not installed: Ensure Microsoft Access is installed on the system
2. Database not found: Verify the database path is correct and accessible
3. Permission errors: Ensure the application has permission to access the database file
4. COM errors: May indicate Access is not properly installed or registered
5. Stale lock state (.laccdb): Close leftover MSACCESS processes and remove the sibling .laccdb file before rerunning tests

MCP Preflight Diagnostics (Error Responses)

connect_access, get_tables, get_queries, get_relationships, execute_sql, execute_query_md, and describe_table now include a preflight object when success=false.

Preflight fields:

• process_bitness: Current MCP process bitness (x86 or x64)
• ace_oledb_provider_registered: Whether Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 is registered for this process bitness
• ace_oledb_issue_detected: True when ACE provider availability/bitness mismatch is likely blocking operations
• trust_center_active_content_indicator: True when the failure message suggests Access Trust Center active-content blocking
• remediation_hints: Suggested next steps

Use these indicators for fast remediation:

1. If ace_oledb_issue_detected=true, install the Access Database Engine with matching bitness or run a matching MCP build.
2. If trust_center_active_content_indicator=true, add the database folder to Access Trusted Locations and unblock downloaded database files.

PowerShell cleanup snippet:

Get-Process MSACCESS,MS.Access.MCP.Official -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Stop-Process -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Remove-Item C:\path\to\database.laccdb -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

Debug Mode

To run with detailed logging, modify the Program.cs to include console output for debugging:

Console.WriteLine($"Processing method: {methodName}");

License

This project is provided as-is for educational and development purposes.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please ensure all tests pass before submitting changes.