how to use relative paths for access linked tables

I do not think you can link a table using a relative path.

You could, however, create a VBA procedure that would generate the required full path from the relative path and then relink the tables using that regenerated full path at startup.

Is that something you'd be willing to consider instead? It wouldn't be that different from a lot of existing code that relinks tables on startup with the variation of figuring out the path from your relative path.

I assume you mean relative to the location of the target/current file. There are lots of code for relinking on the web. You can combine the code with currentdb.name to get the current location.

Dear @Dominic Raftery

Thank you so much for contacting Microsoft Q&A Forum. 

Based on your description, I understand that you want to set a relative path to an external linked table, the approach depends on the software or environment you're using. Assuming that you use Microsoft Access, which is common scenario, relative paths make your Access database portable, and you can move the folder to another location or share it with others without breaking the links. Access itself stores absolute paths by default when you link external tables. To convert them to relative paths, you need to use VBA. 

Here is an example scenario: 

• Your main Access file: MainDB.accdb 
• Your linked file: Data\ExternalData.accdb 
• Both are in the same root folder, with the linked file in a subfolder. 

Example VBA Code to Relink using a Relative Path: 

Sub RelinkToRelativePath()
    Dim db As DAO.Database
    Dim tdf As DAO.TableDef
    Dim newPath As String
    Dim tableName As String

    tableName = "YourLinkedTableName" ' Change this to your actual table name
    newPath = CurrentProject.Path & "\Data\ExternalData.accdb" ' Adjust relative path

    Set db = CurrentDb()
    Set tdf = db.TableDefs(tableName)

    If tdf.Connect <> "" Then
        tdf.Connect = ";DATABASE=" & newPath
        tdf.RefreshLink
        MsgBox "Table relinked to: " & newPath
    Else
        MsgBox "Table is not a linked table."
    End If
End Sub

Also, Microsoft provides official documentation that supports the method of using VBA including using relative paths in Access databases. You can consult more in these articles: 

• Manage linked tables - Microsoft Support 
• ImportExportData Macro Action - Microsoft Support 
• ImportSharePointList Macro Action - Microsoft Support 
• ImportExportSpreadsheet Macro Action - Microsoft Support 

I hope this information can help you and please kindly correct me if I misunderstand your concern. 

Wish you a pleasant day!

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