Acces 2003 mdb size vx. 97

[Jack Gillis]

A happy discovery here.

I converted an Access 97 mdb file to Access 2003. That file shrunk from
4,152KB to 576KB apparently with no loss of data or function. I've
never, ever seen such a reduction in data file size with a new program
before. Was I just lucky or is 2003 that much better? Or, worse,
should I be worried?

Thank you.

 

[Günter Brandstätter]

Hi Jack,

have you ever tried to compact your Access 97 database with the builtin
tool? Not sure but I think this would also reduce the size of your old
database.

regards
Günter

 

[Martin Walke]

Hi Jack,

Remember Access doesn't actually remove any records when you delete them ( -
not that you can get them back like DBase but....). Probably when converting
it strips out the redundant records anyway. Try using the compact database
tool to see if you get the same reduction in size.

Martin

 

[Jack Gillis]

Thank you.

I didn't know the deleted records weren't removed. That could certainly
account for reduction. I no longer have 97 installed on this machine so
I will have to wait until I get to a machine with it on it to compact
the 97 file.

Thanks again.

 

[Lynn Trapp]

The records are removed, so far as your ability to see them or manipulate
them is concerned, but the space allocated to them is not lost. Compacting
recovers that space for you. You will want to do that on a fairly regular
basis.

 

[Jack Gillis]

Thank you, Lynn. Now that I know that, it is obviously a good
recommendation.

 

[Jack Gillis]

OK, I went to a Access 97 machine with my mdb file a compacted it. It
did reduce but nowhere to the extent of the 2003 file. It went to
1,212KB from the original 4,142KB. The 2003 file is 576KB.

Go figure!