Can I use Access 2000 to open Access 2003 ?

[Vensia]

Dear all,

I want to use Ms Access 2003 as development tools. But some users are still
using Access 2000.
Is it possible if I use Access 2003 to develop and the MDE file created by
Access 2003 can be opened in Access 2000 environment ?
Thanks.

 

[John Vinson]

Dear all,

I want to use Ms Access 2003 as development tools. But some users are still
using Access 2000.
Is it possible if I use Access 2003 to develop and the MDE file created by
Access 2003 can be opened in Access 2000 environment ?
Thanks.

Yes... but.

Access2003 actually defaults to A2000 format databases. There is a
different 2002/3 format which A2000 *cannot* read - just don't develop
in it.

I have heard of some incompatibilities trying to run A2000 on
databases developed in 2003, but in general it seems to work OK. You
*cannot* create a 2000 format MDE file using 2003, however.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Larry Linson]

"Vensia" wrote

I want to use Ms Access 2003 as development tools. But
some users are still using Access 2000. Is it possible if
I use Access 2003 to develop and the MDE file created by
Access 2003 can be opened in Access 2000 environment ?

Yes, both Access 2002 and Access 2003, by default, save in the Access 2000
file format. There are some features, introduced in Access 2002 and Access
2003, that will not work in this mode.

However, you will not, repeat NOT, be able to create an .MDE file with
Access 2003 that runs under Access 2000 -- only MDB files. So, if you were
counting on using MDE to simplify (so you didn't have to apply Access
security to have) security, you just can't count on that...

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

 

[Guest]

Larry,
I am thinking of downloading the Office 2007 trial package. If I create
files in Access 2007, can they be read by someone who only has Office/Access
2003 ? (just read, they won't be editing anything).

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Yes, but they will be prompted to download a converter/reader so they can
see them.

Or you could Convert your db to an earlier version for distribution.

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

 

[Guest]

Hi Jeff, Thanks for the reply.
What would I use to convert the db created in Access 2007 into an Access
2003 version...is there something in the Access 2007 itself that would do
that?

(I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row before I go to all the trouble of
deleting my current Office software and replacing it with Office 2007, so
answers to these questions are really useful..!)

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Something already in Access 2007 (try Tools menu)

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP