Open the Northwind sample database

1. Start Microsoft Access.
   
   
2. In the opening dialog box, make sure Open An Existing File is selected.
   
   
3. In the list, click Northwind Sample Database.
   
   
4. If Northwind hasn't already been installed, click Yes to install it now.

Notes

• If you already have Access open, you can click the Open Database command on the File menu in any window and then navigate to the Northwind sample database. Northwind is usually in the Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Samples folder. If you already have another database open, Access closes it when it opens another database.
  
  
• If you don't see the sample database in the opening dialog box or in the Samples folder, you can install Northwind yourself.
  
  
• For information on Northwind, click .
  
  
• Microsoft Access includes three applications that you can use right away to track information on your addresses, contacts, and household inventory. These files are also displayed in the list when Open An Existing File is selected. If you don't see these files in the list, you can install the application files yourself.