Help converting older DB to newer version

[gary g]

I have a large DB that was originally created using Access 2002-2003. It links to five other smaller DB's so it is fairly robust. Is there an easy way to convert this DB to Access 2010 (which is the version our org is currently using)? I have a sinking feeling I will have to re-create the wheel, meaning rebuilding the entire DB from scratch.

So I am reaching out to advanced users and asking this question: Is there another way to more easily accomplish this task, or am I stuck? Any help or advice will be very much appreciated at this point. Tks.

 

[Minty]

Take a back up.
If possible do the following against an off-line not live database;
Create a new empty 2010 database.
Make sure you un-check the AutoName correct options.
Import everything in old 2003 database and make sure you check the options to import tool bars etc.
Play around with it and see if it works...

 

[gary g]

I will certainly try it. At least the conversion process sounds more promising than I originally thought.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

you should not even need to do the import.

simply open the 2003 dbs in A2010, and then save as 2010 format.

copy the dbs first, just in case!

 

[Galaxiom]

Note that the later version of Access still runs mdb/mde applications. There is nothing of any real consequence added to the accdb/accde format. Multivalued fields are best stayed right away from.

You can even use some of the design features in the later version with the mdb file provided they are run in the later version of Access or Access Runtime.