Opening an MDA File

The MDA file type is primarily associated with Microsoft Access.

MDA	File extension: MDA
	File type:	database file

What is an MDA file?

MDA files mostly belong to Microsoft Access. An MDA file can refer to several specialized file types used in different systems. It is often a Microsoft Access add-in file that extends database features by hosting extra modules, macros, or procedures used within Access.
Some files with this extension store EPICS scan data in the form of multi-dimensional arrays used by control systems. More information on EPICS can be found on their website.
Other instances include files used by Rays Media Player for media-related data and files from financial applications like Metastock that serve as database modules. There are also Mechanica database files and MDA files packaged as a ZIP archive for model deployment in the Siemens Opcenter Execution Discrete Suite (Siemens PLM Portal).
Important points to note:

Access Add-in: Provides extended functionality within Microsoft Access.

EPICS Scan Data: Handles multi-dimensional array data essential for control systems.

Media/Financial Modules: Stores specialized data for media playback and market analysis.

ZIP Archives: Some are compressed packages for deploying models in Siemens systems.

How do you open MDA files?

You need a suitable software like Microsoft Access to open an MDA file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your MDA file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a MDA file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online MDA Text Viewer

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or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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Programs that open and convert MDA files:

Microsoft Access
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. MDA files are often referred to as Microsoft Access databases because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Access (Add-in) by Microsoft Corporation
The Mime types used with this association are: application/msaccess, application/vnd.ms-access.
Access 2 (Workgroup) by Microsoft Corporation
The Mime types used with this association are: application/msaccess, application/vnd.ms-access. Program ID is Access.Extension.7, Access.Extension.8, Access.Extension.9, Access.Extension.10, Access.Extension.11
Meridian Data Slingshot
Slingshot! allows you to run applications from within your browser. The Mime types used with this association are: application/vnd.meridian-slingshot.
MicroDesign (Area File) by Creative Technology
A 1992 program/format. The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 2E 4D 44 41, ASCII: .MDA. Related links: File Format
Rays Media Data
The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 52 41 59 53 20 4D 45 44 49 41 20 46 49 4C 45, ASCII: RAYS MEDIA FILE.

MDA file format:

To find out what program is needed to open MDA files, you need to determine the file format. The file format can be deduced from the file extension and the signature. However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. Below you will find our evaluation of the MDA files:

The MDA file extension is not common and covers a large number of different file formats. The two most common formats are as follows:

15% of all MDA files belong to EPICS sscan/saveData format. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. The files are often between 2 KB and 52 KB in size. The following keywords are characteristic: scan1, LINEAR and Energy. These files can be linked to kappa.
15% of all MDA files are Rays Media data files. These files contain neither text nor words, but only data. MDA files can be up to 4 MB in size, but are often around 11 KB - 1 MB. The files contain the following words: RAYS MEDIA FILE.

All other MDA files (70%) have no consistent format, often e.g. JetDB, ZIP and Mechanica. These files are often connected to analysis or content. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your MDA file!

Technical Data for MDA File Extension

File classification:

Database

Related files:

accdb, accda, mde, mdb, mde, m4a, md, mdt, adp, ldb, zip

Mime type:

application/msaccess, application/vnd.ms-access

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: Access.Extension.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ARCHIV~1\MICROS~1\ACCESS~1\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI1933~1\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~1\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\OfficeXP\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.11
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.11
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.8
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Access 97\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.8
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.8
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\msaccrt\Access 97\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.9
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI1933~1\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.9
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~1\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.9
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~2\Office\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP %1

ProgramID: Access.Extension.12
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI69DF~1\Office12\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP

ProgramID: Access.Extension.7
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MSOffice95\Access\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP

ProgramID: Access.Extension.12
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI1933~1\Office12\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP

ProgramID: Access.Extension.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP

ProgramID: Access.Extension.12
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MI3369~1\Office12\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP

ProgramID: MyViewPad.mda
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\My ViewPad\MyViewPad.exe

ProgramID: Access.Extension.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\MICROS~2\Art\Office10\MSACCESS.EXE /NOSTARTUP

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an mda database file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with MDA files

Associate the MDA file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open database files. Because only the current version supports the latest MDA file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available Microsoft Access update.
To make sure that your MDA file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .MDA file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.