Software & Apps > Apps Installing the Northwind Sample Database in Microsoft Access 2013 Download a sample database for easy learning in Access By Mike Chapple Mike Chapple Twitter Writer University of Idaho Auburn University Notre Dame Former Lifewire writer Mike Chapple is an IT professional with more than 10 years' experience cybersecurity and extensive knowledge of SQL and database management. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 2, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apps Best Apps Payment Services The Northwind sample database, which has long been available to Microsoft Access users, contains sample tables, queries, reports, and other database features. If you're learning Access and working your way through online tutorials, install the sample Access database is helpful. Instructions in this article apply to Access for Microsoft 365, Access 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010. slungu / Getty Images Installing the Northwind Database Access database templates are available from within the application. Open Microsoft Access and select New in the left pane. Type "Northwind" in the Search for Online Templates box and press Enter. Select Northwind in the result screen. In the File Name text box, enter a filename for your Northwind database. Select Create. Access will download the Northwind database from Microsoft and prepares your copy. It may take a few minutes. Your database will open automatically when it is ready. About the Northwind Database The Northwind database is based on a fictitious company named Northwind Traders. It incorporates sales transactions between the company and its customers and purchasing details between the company and its vendors. It includes tables for inventory, orders, customers, employees, and more. It is the basis for many tutorials and books on using Access. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit