Error when trying to link data between Access and Excel

[malfiscious]

Hello,

I'm trying to pull data into Excel 2010 from Access 2010 (running as a 2003 .mdb), which works fine on all but one database and I can't find the reason.

On every other .mdb or .accdb I use I can link up via the wizard easily but this specific database makes a Data Link Properties window popup.

I have tried a few things within the properties but I always get the same message when I test connection. The message is as follows:

Test connection failed because of an error in initializing provider. Cannot start your application. the workgroup information file is missing or opened exclusively by another user

I have made sure no one is logged in - it makes no difference.

I'm running a 2003 database in this instance because of user level security but I don't think that's the problem since a different database that uses the same workgroup file links up fine.

I created a new .accdb and imported everything from the problem database and the data linked up fine. I want to avoid having to go this route for now if possible.

Thanks in advance for any help :banghead:

 

[Rx_]

http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=25197

That sounds like a heap of trouble.
Can see problems with opening a 2003 DB with a later version.
Take a look at the link above, you may need to do something special when you open it. Would be more afraid of opening it in the newer version and making the mistake to save-as and messing with the existing security.

My first thought was to suggest using Linked tables from your 2010 to the older version. As luck would have it, the link above also suggest that.

So, read this link over, and be sure to report back on what might work or not. I just don't have two versions to check out myself.

 

[mariyakeon]

Re: Error when trying to link data between Access and Excel

Hmm... I think you are stuck with a serious error bolts during exporting database from access to excel. In the online market arena there are so many advance solutions are available to export access data to excel sheet. You can use SysTools Access To Excel to fix all these errors, issues and to convert access data to excel sheet.

 

[malfiscious]

Thanks for both of your replies.

Once I'm out of options I'll probably look into the SysTools suggestion but it just feels like I'm missing something really simple, possibly even obvious.

An older test version of the same database (also running on 2010 as a 2003 .mdb and using the same security workgroup) links up perfectly via the wizard. This seems to rule out a lot of potential problems but I'm struggling to identify what in the newer version is making the difference.

I did have a look at the link you provided Rx, thank you. At the moment the database functions exactly as I want it to in every other respect so I'm loath to change its structure, but obviously that might have to happen (I wish the charts weren't still stuck int he 90's).

The easiest thing would be to import onto a new .accdb and be done with it but I really do want to keep the user level security because there are a few users with big thumbs.

One major thing the new DB has that the old one doesn't is a way for me to boot people from the system when I need to run maintenance or an update (I'll have to post link after this - post count only 9 ). I don't see where this would be causing an issue though.

One small note. If I run the excel wizard, leave everything default in the popup windows and press ok on both, then I do get the table selection window you'd expect - but it only shows tables and won't let me use them. I just get eh following message:

The query did not run, or the table could not be opened.

Check the database server or contact your database administrator. Make sure the external database is available and hasn't been moved or reorganized, then try the operation again.

Does this narrow it down at all?

 

[malfiscious]

Here's the boot user link mentioned above

http://www.datawright.com.au/access_resources/access_tips.htm#tip_boot_users