What Is an MDA File?
A file with the MDA file extension is a Microsoft Access Add-in file used for adding queries and other functionality to MS Access. Some early versions of the software used MDA files as workspace files. ACCDA replaces the MDA format in the newest versions of Access. Some files that use this extension are instead associated with Yamaha’s Clavinova piano or Creative Technology’s MicroDesign software as an Area format file. Still, others may be unrelated and saved as Meridian Data Slingshot files, Rays Media Data files, used with software tools called EPICS, or related to the PIPES music creator.
How to Open an MDA File
The vast majority of MDA files you’ll encounter will be Access Add-in files, meaning they can be opened with Microsoft Access. If your file is definitely using the MDA file extension, but it doesn’t open with Microsoft’s program, it might be a type of audio file that pertains to Yamaha’s Clavinova piano. YAM player should be able to open it. For MicroDesign Area files, all we have is a link to the Creative Technology website, but we don’t know where (or if) you can download the MicroDesign software. It seems that this format might be a type of image, which means it’s possible you could rename it to JPG or PNG and open it with any image viewer. We also don’t have much useful information on Meridian Data Slingshot files, except that they were originally used by Meridian Data’s Slingshot software. The company has changed hands a lot over the years but was most recently acquired by Microchip Technology. We have no information on Rays Media Data files. EPICS stands for Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System, and its related software uses MDA files, too. See MDA Files — PIPES to learn more about that audio format. Given that there are a few different possible formats that use the .MDA file extension, you might have luck opening the file with a text editor or the HxD program. These applications open any file as if it were a text document, so if opening the file shows some sort of identifiable information (like some header text at the top of the file), it may point you in the direction of the program that was used to create it.
How to Convert an MDA File
Although there are plenty of unique uses for MDA files, we don’t know of any file converter tools that can change one to a different, similar format. Your best bet is to open the file in the appropriate program and see what options it gives you. Software that support file conversions generally allow it through some sort of File > Save as or Export menu option.
