Export Access Data to SQLite or PostgreSQL

Choose the target database

• Use SQLite for a local, single-file database that is easy to ship with scripts or desktop tools.
• Use PostgreSQL for multi-user applications, larger datasets, permissions, and production services.
• Use CSV or spreadsheet tools only when the data is small and relationships are not important.

Export tables first

1. 1.Open the Access file and list every user table.
2. 2.Export each table to CSV with the original table name.
3. 3.Keep a copy of the original MDB or ACCDB file.
4. 4.Record row counts for every table before import.

Map common Access types

• Short Text and Long Text usually become TEXT.
• Number fields become INTEGER, REAL, or NUMERIC depending on precision.
• Date/Time should be normalized to ISO-style timestamps.
• Yes/No becomes BOOLEAN in PostgreSQL and 0/1 in many SQLite workflows.
• Attachment and OLE fields need a separate extraction plan; CSV will not preserve embedded files.

Import and validate

After import, compare row counts table by table. Spot-check dates, currency values, accented characters, empty strings, and null values. Then rebuild primary keys, foreign keys, indexes, and uniqueness rules in the target database.

Do not forget the application layer

Access forms, reports, macros, and VBA do not move automatically. If users depend on them, document each workflow before migration and decide whether it belongs in a web app, spreadsheet, scheduled script, or reporting tool.