Microsoft Access 2010 and newer versions make use of the tabbed document format - the ribbon - found in other Microsoft Office products. The ribbon replaces the toolbars and menus present in earlier versions of Access. This collection of tabs might be hidden or subjected to support specific development tasks. Here's how you can show or hide the tabs in Access 2010.

Click the File tab on the Ribbon.
Click the Options button that appears in the bottom portion of the menu frame. It isn't on the main listing of menu items, but appears towards the bottom frame above the Exit button.
Click the present Database menu item.
To hide document tabs, uncheck the Display Document Tabs checkbox. If you're using a database where someone hid the tabs and would like to make them reappear, activate the checkbox.

Tips

The settings you make affect the present database only. You need to change this setting manually for other databases. The settings apply on all computers accessing the database file.

You can change to the old-style "overlapping windows" view by selecting that option under Document Window Options on the present Database options menu.