Question Incompatibility issue - DB designed in Access 2007 to be used in 2000-2003

[mike_]

Hello my dear experts,
I have designed a database application in Access 2007, and I always knew I would need to share it with some users that have Access 2000 or 2003, now, because of that I kept the .mdb extension, the application works pretty good in my computer as well as in others with Access 2007, however when I try to open it in an Access 2000/2003 environment I get the following message:
"This database is in an unrecognized format.
The database may have been created in a later version of access than the one you are using. Upgrade your version of MS access to the current one, the open this database."

At first I though it could have been a library reference problem, so it occurred to me to export form by form and table by table to another database (just a few, not all of them since I was just experimenting) it did open that time, but I got the following error when opening a form:

"The expression On load you entered as the event property setting bla bla bla,..."
then I thought,"Excellent, it is the reference of the libraries" I made the changes to the corresponding one, but didn't work, I kept getting the same error... I am now stuck and I really need to have this app ready to be used in earlier versions of access than 2007, PLEASE HELP!

 

[Pat Hartman]

A2000 cannot read databases created with A2003 either. If you have a mix of Access versions, you need to create the database in the earliest version you need to support. I think your A2k users will need to upgrade. It's about time. I'm not even sure that A2007 can create a .mdb in that version anyway.

The alternative is to convert to A2007 or A2010 .accdb and distribute the free A2007 or A2010 runtime engine. ( you might have to go with A2010 if you can no longer download the A2007 version).

 

[mike_]

Thank you Pat, I agree, it's about time they upgrade, even me, using 2007, unfortunately getting the license for everyone here requires a lot of approvals, I guess I will have to start with the design in the earliest version, (tears are coming out of my eyes now), meanwhile I'll ask if they can upgrade, let's see what will occur first,

Thanks again for your reply!

 

[Galaxiom]

The alternative is to convert to A2007 or A2010 .accdb and distribute the free A2007 or A2010 runtime engine.

Note that 2010 and 2007 runtimes will also run mdb files.

I doubt that I will ever move from mdb even though I am now designing in 2010 because they removed the ability to digitally sign the code in the accd* formats.

 

[Galaxiom]

Anyone still working in A2000 should simply be dropped from having design facilities and forced to use the runtime.

If they need to design then it is time they were upgraded.

 

[Pat Hartman]

I just looked at my save as dialog. I never noticed A2010 could make an .mdb in A2K format. I thought it did A2002/A2003 only. So you could start with that. I would still switch to the A2010 runtime if possible. You may as well get them used to using the ribbon. The runtime is free so you don't need to buy licenses for everyone. Only the people doing development need the full retail version.

 

[mike_]

Thank you for your input on this!