Open /View old Access Databases?

[ashleedawg]

One problem with learning-by-Googling is that the more time passes, the more out-of-date so much coding-related posts are. Often I can work around it, but often I've given up. Access doesn't like to open "old" MDB's anymore.

In this case I'd like to open this oldie from ChrisO (man, that guy was a wealth of information!) I think it's in Access 97 and I'm running 2016. Microsoft says I need to convert it up to 2003 then up to 2013 (which in my case would mean I'd have to pirate 2 versions). I tried xbaseView but that only let me see the table structure. Apparently I might be able to connect to the data with an OLEDB connection but all I'm interested in is the VBA.

Does anyone know of any online tools for conversion or viewing old MDB's?

In this particular case I'm trying to figure out how to read Access's "recently opened databases" list. In Excel it can be done easily with a collection called Application.RecentFiles but there's no such thing for Access that I can find.

This particular mission isn't huge priority but I am interested to know if anyone has any tips on dealing with old DB's... Thanks!

 

[Gasman]

Have you just tried importing the objects?
I only have 2007, but it allows me to open it, but requests I upgrade it to accdb format else I cannot make any changes.?

However importing gives me the attached.

 

[GinaWhipp]

Yeah, Access 97 will not open in Access 2016, it needs to be 2000 at a minimum. Do you know anyone that has 2003 who can convert it for you? Other than that it is a problem.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

I can convert it easily enough.

pm me, if you want.

Access 2016 and 2013 are the same to all intents. You only need one conversion. You can even use the A2003 mdb in A2013/2016 if you prefer.

Note Office 365 is also A2013/A2106

 

[Gasman]

Everything should be in that DB I uploaded?

Yeah, Access 97 will not open in Access 2016, it needs to be 2000 at a minimum. Do you know anyone that has 2003 who can convert it for you? Other than that it is a problem.