mystery DBF file

[WilMar]

need to access a dbf file (with a mdx index) through Access (or Excel).
However when I try to import or open I get an “Unrecognizable format†error.

I do not have the native program.

Any suggestions?

 

[Klatuu]

a dbf with an mdx index is a DBase IV database file. You will need an ODBC
driver for it. A FoxPro driver may work because FoxPro uses a dbf format,
but the index is very different and has an extension of cdx for compound
index files. Individual indexes are stored in ndx files and if I remember
correctly, DBase used idx, but that has been a while.

 

[WilMar]

Thanks for the quick response. What exactly can I do to get a ODBC driver?
Again I don't have the native program.

 

[Klatuu]

You don't need the original program.
From the Menu:
File -> Get External Data -> Link Tables

At the bottom of the File Dialog, use the File Type Dropdown
Select ODBC Databases

There are some Dbase and FoxPro drivers
Just experiment until you can get one to work for you.

 

[WilMar]

Been there done that. This is when I get the “Unrecognizable format†error.
I have tried all the normal steps through Office programs.

 

[Klatuu]

And you don't know what the original program was?
Other than that, I don't know what else to offer.

 

[WilMar]

no but i do have a small file snipet if anyone could find an OBDC.

 

[Tony Toews [MVP]]

need to access a dbf file (with a mdx index) through Access (or Excel).
However when I try to import or open I get an “Unrecognizable format” error.

I vaguely recall reading that this might be caused by the file name
being longer than 8 characters. If so try renaming the file.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
Tony's Microsoft Access Blog - http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/

 

[WilMar]

file name is only 6 characters (class1.mdb).

 

[David W. Fenton]

file name is only 6 characters (class1.mdb).

I believe Tony was referring to the DBF file.

 

[Tony Toews [MVP]]

I believe Tony was referring to the DBF file.

Correct.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
Tony's Microsoft Access Blog - http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/

 

[WilMar]

Sorry my bad, wrong extension. class1.dbf (index is class1.mdx)

 

[honshin]

When I used to do a lot of Delphi programming, I created databases with a
..dbf extension and an index format of .mdx. Normally, you can load move the
index file to a different location and the .dbf will import in its natural
order without an index. You can then create the index on the Access side.
You might give that a try.

 

[WilMar]

honshin - thanks. tried moving the DBF and renaming the MDX but still no
luck. my guess is it's a variation of dBase, possibly with a different header.

I know this can be solved - I'm just not sure how.