Working on older versions

H

Heathquad

At home I have Microsoft Access 2003 and at work we have Microsoft Access 97.
Will the 2003 version be able to open a 97 database if I make a copy of that
database to take home? If I make any changes to that database will the users
of 97 still be able to use the database? I need to be able to work on the 97
Access Database over the Christmas holidays but I have not been able to find
a copy of Microsoft Access 97 to install on my home computer and I am leery
of buying a used copy.

Heath
 
D

Douglas J. Steele

Yes, Access 2003 can open a database produced by Access 97. You'll be given
the option to open it or convert it. Unless you're doing something unusual
in your application, the conversion should be complete.

If your application is referencing any COM objects other than the normal
ones, make sure you have those references on your home machine.
 
H

Heathquad

If I make any changes to the database (without converting it) and bring that
copy back to work will the 97 users still be able to use the database?
Heath
 
J

John Vinson

If I make any changes to the database (without converting it) and bring that
copy back to work will the 97 users still be able to use the database?
Click to expand...

No, they won't! A97 cannot open 2000/2003 format databases.

However, you can use Tools... Convert Database... Convert to Previous
Version to save the edited database in A97 format. Be sure not to
introduce any features (such as Conditional Formatting) which did not
exist in the older version.

John W. Vinson[MVP]
Join the online Access Chats
Tuesday 11am EDT - Thursday 3:30pm EDT
http://community.compuserve.com/msdevapps
 
H

Heathquad

I am very new to Access so forgive me if I sound redundant.

If understand what you're saying if I take a copy of my 97 database home,
open it with 2003 and make any changes that need to be made then be sure to
"convert to" 97 and take that copy back to work if everything goes well we
should be able to use the database. As long as I do not introduce any
features that were not present in Access 97.

Heath
 
D

Douglas J. Steele

That's correct.

--
Doug Steele, Microsoft Access MVP

(no e-mails, please!)
 
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