Opening a file created with access 2003 with access 97

[jdw]

Can you open and access 2003 data base using access 97 ? I've got one that I
can't seem to open as it says that it doesn't recognize the db format.

 

[John W. Vinson]

Can you open and access 2003 data base using access 97 ? I've got one that I
can't seem to open as it says that it doesn't recognize the db format.

No.

The programmers who developed Access97 in 1996 or so did not have the luxury
of having an Access 2003 database available to work with, since it did not
exist yet and would not for another six or seven years.

It is possible to open the database in A2003 and save it in A97 format (of
course you will lose any features which did not exist in A97). That database
will then be available to A97 users.

John W. Vinson [MVP]

 

[boblarson]

You have to convert it to 97 first. You can go to TOOLS > DATABASE UTILITIES

CONVERT DATABASE > Convert to 97 Format

And then they can use it. But, it isn't compatible with 2003 so others with
2003 won't be able to use that file. So, if multiple people are going to use
different versions, you should keep the backend data in Access 97 format and
then give each user a copy of the frontend for their computer and in the
format they need.
--
Bob Larson
Access World Forums Super Moderator
Utter Access VIP
Tutorials at http://www.btabdevelopment.com
If my post was helpful to you, please rate the post.
__________________________________

 

[Bob Quintal]

You have to convert it to 97 first. You can go to TOOLS >
DATABASE UTILITIES

And then they can use it. But, it isn't compatible with 2003 so
others with 2003 won't be able to use that file.

That is absolutely untrue. An access 97 file can be opened and the code
and GUI work perfectly well. The only issue is that one cannot modify
the tables, queries, forms, reports, macros or code.

 

[boblarson]

You are correct, and I did say that incorrectly, about the fact that a 2003
user can open a 97 file and use it. However, I would HIGHLY suggest that, if
this will be done this way, that each user still have a separate frontend on
their machine and do NOT use the same 97 file as the others due to potential
reference problems if the two versions are opening the exact same mdb file.

--
Bob Larson
Access World Forums Super Moderator
Utter Access VIP
Tutorials at http://www.btabdevelopment.com
If my post was helpful to you, please rate the post.
__________________________________

 

[Bob Quintal]

You are correct, and I did say that incorrectly, about the fact
that a 2003 user can open a 97 file and use it. However, I would
HIGHLY suggest that, if this will be done this way, that each user
still have a separate frontend on their machine and do NOT use the
same 97 file as the others due to potential reference problems if
the two versions are opening the exact same mdb file.

I agree, but expand that to state that even within the same version of
access, the issue of reference problems exists because of differences
in each installation of Access (any version)

I've had that one cause me grief, several times.