Using Access 2002 and 97

[helsi]

I am currently using Access 97 together with a colleague on a shared database. The database sits on a network drive. I access the database using the 'link' option in Access (ie the little arrows come up at the side of all the tables etc). I store any queries, tables etc that I generate in another directory, separate to the database itself.

At present the database is maintained in Access 97 via my colleagues computer. I also have 97 on my computer and use it to access the data, create queries and then export the data out for subsequent analysis.

My question is: if my computer is upgraded to Access 2002 and my colleagues remains on Access 97 will we have any problems in sharing the database?

I am assuming that 2002 will read the 97 files adequately, but that I will need to save 2002 files in my own database only and never in the main database itself, else my colleague won't be able to read them. This assumption however, may be wrong!

Any help, tips or advice GREATLY appreciated...

 

[rpadams]

Use both

I have both versions on my computer because I have clients that use one or the other of the versions. Backend tables in Ac97 can be read easily in either version, but if you make changes using Ac2002 to an Ac97 front end, that front end becomes unusable in in Ac97. It can be converted back, but not without some problems and tweaking (eg changes in combo box syntax code).

It is almost always better to write your application in the version you intend to use it if possible and not do the conversions.

I find that both versions reside happily on one computer (Windows XP Pro) as long as they are in separate directories and you install the Ac97 first. MS has a number of support knowledge bases to tell you how to do it.

 

[namliam]

I have noticed that if you use a 2000/2002 FE and a 97 BE you will encounter some performance issues....

Regards