Access 2016 linked table randomly loses fields

Collin Dunton 5 Reputation points
2023-07-05T14:50:09.66+00:00

So I'm using Access to create a linked table to an Outlook folder so that I can then pull my Outlook information to excel. I know this is pretty convoluted, but the network I'm on doesn't allow me to link excel to outlook and I don't really know much about Access so I just use it as a middle man.

Issue & Background:

The issue is that every so often (sometime between 1-3 weeks) my Access file stops importing the information I need from Outlook. When I first create the linked table, I get 15-20 columns of data including "Contents" and "Received" which are the two bits of information I need. Then 1-3 weeks later, without me ever opening the access file, most of these columns disappear. I will be left with only 3-4 columns: "Importance", "Icon", "Priority", and/or "Subject".

The only interaction I have with the Access file is when my excel macro runs the command "Connections.OLEDBConnection.Refresh" to refresh the query that pulls the Access table into excel. This command works as intended and I don't think it has anything to do with the issue but I thought I'd mention it.

What I've tried:

Deleting linked table and creating a new link to the same outlook folder.

When I try this I get the same table as before I deleted it (i.e. the table is still missing columns). This makes me think there's an Outlook issue but I'm not sure what it could be.

Creating a new Outlook folder/renaming the old Outlook folder

Both of these require me to update the Access to pull from the new folder name, but this also solves the problem (though temporarily).

Any ideas on how to fix my columns from disappearing? I'm also running Outlook and Excel 2016 if that's pertinent.

Thank you!

Office Development
Office Development
Office: A suite of Microsoft productivity software that supports common business tasks, including word processing, email, presentations, and data management and analysis.Development: The process of researching, productizing, and refining new or existing technologies.
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Access Development
Access Development
Access: A family of Microsoft relational database management systems designed for ease of use.Development: The process of researching, productizing, and refining new or existing technologies.
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