MS Access: can't open Access 2002 file on Access 97

[Marc]

I received an MS-Access file that I want to use for an upcoming project. The file was from someone who uses Access 2002 and I can't open it up on my computer which uses Access 97. I get an error message "Unrecognized database format . (Error 3343)". Are Access 2002 files incompatible with Access 97? If so, is there a way to work around this or make it compatible?

[doctorgonzo]

No, it won't work. Access is generally backward-compatible (you could open a database made with Access 97 in Access 2002), but it is not forward-compatible (you can't open a database made with Access 2002 in Access 97, as you have found out).

In Access 2002, it should be possible to save the database to a prior version. I don't have the 2002 version, but in Access 2000 you click on Tools...Database Utilities...Convert Database to convert the database to a previous version. Access 2002 is probably similar.

[sdkfz]

The process is the same, the only thing that can kill you is if the new DB has data formats that are not convertable. The feild size property of "decimal" can not be converted, you would need to change it to single or double first, of course if you do not have the newer version this is an issue,

how big is the file? I have Access XP and broadband
how personal/confidential is the file? I do not want to get you into trouble if this is business etc

[Marc]

DoctorGonzo & SDKFZ:

Thanks for your help. I had the person who sent me the file do the conversion to Access 97 format and resend it to me. I've had a chance to play around with the new file and the conversion appears to be successful.