dbf file not importing to access 2003

[jnixon]

Hello all,
I have a dbf file that I need to somehow get the table data out of, and into access, excel, or some other usable format. I searches the MS Knowledge Base and read several articles on updating the Jet 4.0 drivers (up to date) and updating Foxpro ODBC drivers, etc. I also searched these forums, and I have yet to find any solution that works.

I think this dbf file might be Foxpro, but I'm not sure. I don't know anything about Foxpro. I was getting an error message "unexpected error from external database driver (8961)", until I read an MS article stating that I should change the name of the Borland folder to BorlandOld and try re-importing. Now Access 2003 just says: "external table not in the specified format". Please help meeee! Thanks.

John

 

[Jon K]

Probably the dbf is a Visual FoxPro file. Try asking the one who sent you the file (or someone who has Visual FoxPro installed) to save it in FoxPro 2.5 or 2.6 format or dBase III format.


Another suggestion:
Download the freeware DFB Viewer Plus from
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/dbfviewerplus.html

to see if it can open the dbf file. If it can, then save the file as a csv text file and import it into Access or Excel.
.

 

[jnixon]

Unfortunately, I am unable to contact the person who created it. It sounds like they quit this company and the owners know nothing about the dbf file.

I did download this DBF viewer, and tried to open the files. It says "Invalid DBF file". I'm wondering if this is encrypted or something, and maybe that's why I can't open the file.

 

[jnixon]

Ooh! Here's a breakthrough! I was able to open some of the dbf files included on the CD. They look like indicies that match up to the data files. So, I'm able to open up the really small dbf files, but the large ones that have all the data that I need will not open. The ones I can open are about 2MB, and the ones I can't open are about 100MB to 250MB. Any other ideas?