Connecting to FoxPro dbf files - normalization issues

[audrey]

I have a program that stores data in FoxPro dbf files. There are multiple files that I would *like* to link to - then create tables based on the linked tables so that I can add additional necessary fields. The dbf files are updated daily, so I also need to be able to have my editable tables where they can update any data that was added that day.

I really have no clue about the best way to normalize this. We have been just entering the data twice - once in the program and again in the database - and that sadly might still be the best way.

Any ideas on the best way to go about linking to the dbf files and having editable tables to update based on the linked data? Or ideas on how to normalize?

Access 2007/ Windows 7

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[jdraw]

I don't use Foxpro. I'm not sure if you can still link to Foxpro, dBase etc as you could in earlier versions of Access.
You might try googling. I found this link that may help get you started.

Also found this.

Here is another--from M$oft this time.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824264

 

[audrey]

Thank you jdraw for your reply. Yes, I've searched and googled and been all over the place trying anything and everything. Most all of the posts I have found where people actually had success were much older versions of access. So I'm beginning to think that my best bet is just going to be to enter the data twice, once in the program and once in the database.

 

[namliam]

I am working on office 2010, I can link to dbf files using the "More" option... cant test it unfortunately but the option for DBase (DBF) files is there.

The foxpro files are tables themselves and should already be normalized, so that shouldnt be anything for you to worry about?

 

[jdraw]

I agree with namliam, I just looked at A2010 and under external data "more" there is a dbf option. Haven't used dBase for 20 years --didn't even realize the option was there.
If you can't get it to work, perhaps you could post a dbf file and namliam or I could test it.

Also:

If you are using software that is old and unsupported (not certain that is the case but) you may want to convert that to Access to minimize the variables(software) in your application.