Transfer files from Access 2003 to Works datbase?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Roger R
  • Start date Start date
R

Roger R

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, so similar posted in Works
newsgroup.

Is the database in Works the same as Access, perhaps with some limitation on
numbers of records or something? (the word processor in Works is
advertised as the same as Word in Office)

The problem is the membership secretary of our local group (about 500
members) has resigned, handing over the membership database on disk in
format from Access 2003.

No one that is willing to take on the role has Access 2003 and as it is a
hobby activity they are reluctant to buy it. However they might be willing
to buy Works which might be sufficient.

All that is required is a mailshot label print out and selective membership
reminders to those who overlook renewal.

If it is the same, could the database from Access 2003 be sucessfully
transferred to Works 8 or whatever?

Roger R
 
The short answer is: there not the same. Works is not a relational
database, (more of a spreadsheet with forms) so if you have related
histories of dues, attendance, etc., you won't be able to continue that in
Works. You will be able to import the rolodex portion (name, address, etc.)
of your Access database.

The Access upgrade (Works eligible) costs $99. Older versions can be had
for even less, and backward conversion is possible. Lastly, there are
dozens of affordable commercial membership applications that will import
your existing data.

-Ed
 
Not sure if this is the right place to ask, so similar posted in Works
newsgroup.

Is the database in Works the same as Access, perhaps with some limitation on
numbers of records or something? (the word processor in Works is
advertised as the same as Word in Office)
Click to expand...
No, Access database is completely different from the Works database.
Also, the Works word processor is completely different from Word. What
is the same is that "Works Suite" also contains an actual copy of
Word. But if you buy "Works" and not the "Works Suite", you'll only
have the Works word processor. which is not really more useful than
Wordpad, which is included free with Windows.
The problem is the membership secretary of our local group (about 500
members) has resigned, handing over the membership database on disk in
format from Access 2003.

No one that is willing to take on the role has Access 2003 and as it is a
hobby activity they are reluctant to buy it. However they might be willing
to buy Works which might be sufficient.

All that is required is a mailshot label print out and selective membership
reminders to those who overlook renewal.

If it is the same, could the database from Access 2003 be sucessfully
transferred to Works 8 or whatever?
Click to expand...
If the Access database is not "relational", ie is simply a flat file
of information, then you can easily transport the information into
Works or even Excel, but you need Access to do that (load the database
into Access and export as an Excel or *.dbf file.)
Roger R
Click to expand...

I'll make you an offer. e-mail me a copy of the database, and I'll
look it over and convert it (if that's possible) into either a Works
database or an Excel file (or both) for you. You can then at least
have a look at what it contains, and decide what you wnat to do next.
Be aware tho, that you'll just be getting the "data", not any reports
that the former secretary may have written like the mail label
printout.

If you want me to do this, mail the copy to my Yahoo address,
charliehoffp at yahoo dot com.
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/
 
Charlie Hoffpauir said:
No, Access database is completely different from the Works database.

If you want me to do this, mail the copy to my Yahoo address,
charliehoffp at yahoo dot com.
Charlie Hoffpauir
Click to expand...

Thank you for the informative reply, very helpful, and thanks too for the
offer to convert the file, but I'll have to let that go as I am in the UK
where our Data Protection Act would prevent the file being sent abroad.

Now I know that Access 2003 and the database in Works are different,
probably the simplest solution is for the new membership secretary to just
go out and buy Access 2003.

The favourable (to uk) exchange rate of almost two dollars to the UK pound
should mean the Access 2003 full package that costs around 170 dollars in
the US should be around half that over here in the UK, but it is the same
around 170 pounds (~$300) :-(

Roger R
 
Ed Robichaud said:
The short answer is: there not the same. Works is not a relational
database, (more of a spreadsheet with forms) so if you have related
histories of dues, attendance, etc., you won't be able to continue that in
Works. You will be able to import the rolodex portion (name, address,
etc.) of your Access database.

The Access upgrade (Works eligible) costs $99. Older versions can be had
for even less, and backward conversion is possible. Lastly, there are
dozens of affordable commercial membership applications that will import
your existing data.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply too, at least I now know they are not the same.
And the tip about Access upgrade from Works is worth knowing.

Roger R
 
Thank you for the informative reply, very helpful, and thanks too for the
offer to convert the file, but I'll have to let that go as I am in the UK
where our Data Protection Act would prevent the file being sent abroad.

Now I know that Access 2003 and the database in Works are different,
probably the simplest solution is for the new membership secretary to just
go out and buy Access 2003.

The favourable (to uk) exchange rate of almost two dollars to the UK pound
should mean the Access 2003 full package that costs around 170 dollars in
the US should be around half that over here in the UK, but it is the same
around 170 pounds (~$300) :-(

Roger R
Click to expand...

I'm very curious about what you said about "Data Protection Act would
prevent the file being sent abroad". You actually have a law in the UK
that prevents you from sending "data" abroad? In that case, I suggest
that you ask someone located in the UK to convert the information for
you. It's very likely that using Access for this application is a bit
"overkill", particularly if this is the only reason someone is
considering buying Access.

You can probably make the request in this newsgroup, and someone
located in the UK will surely respond, as it's fairly easy to do.
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/
 
I'm very curious about what you said about "Data Protection Act would
prevent the file being sent abroad". You actually have a law in the UK
that prevents you from sending "data" abroad?
Click to expand...

I am not a lawyer, but you can read about the UK Data protection Act here:
http://www.ico.gov.uk/
Some selected quotes from above site:
In the UK all public and private organisations are legally obliged to
protect any personal information they hold. The Data Protection Act gives
individuals the right to know what information is held about them. It
provides a framework to ensure that personal information is handled
properly.

The Data Protection Act doesn't guarantee personal privacy at all costs, but
aims to strike a balance between the rights of individuals and the sometimes
competing interests of those with legitimate reasons for using personal
information. It applies to some paper records as well as computer records.

The Data Protection Act prohibits the transfer of personal information from
the UK to other countries unless those countries can ensure the same level
of protection.

Organisations in the UK which have personal information processed on their
behalf overseas are responsible for the security of your information. The UK
organisation is required to make sure the company overseas complies fully
with the UK Data Protection Act.

Hope that helps

Roger R
 
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