linking DBF with filename size greater than 8 characters in Access

It sems you might be able to programmatically either rename the file when the name does not follow the 8.3 convention, or copy the file, giving it a suitable name.
Doesn't answer the engine question, I know, but is a possible workaround.

Yes  it says that in the MS Article and that is what I have to do now is change the length to 8. I do not need a program to change the filename as I am manually linking it each time. I use FoxPro as well so I go back and forth from foxPro to Access depending on what I need to do and I prefer to have a name longer than 8 characters

You could try the DOS name of a windows long name which is the first 6 characters minus any spaces, a tilde (~) and a number for duplicates.  The extension would be the first 3 characters minus spaces.  For example:
my text file.text = mytext~1.tex
my text file number two.text = mytext~2.tex
If the two files are in the same folder and "my text file.text" is the first file listed in the unsorted directory listing.

Thanks for the suggestion however I would like to have names that are meaningful like File1Day58.dbf. Shortening them makes it more difficult to decifer between files

cmcgregor,

Importing:
Another option would be to import the DBF file to Excel first. Then change the name of the sheet tab to match the original DBF filename. Then import the Excel File into Access. The resulting Access Table will retain the Excel sheet tab name by default.

Linking:
Change the name of the DBF file to match the 8.3 convention. Then Link as normal. Then simply rename the linked file to the original DBF filename.

Keep in mind also that even if you have short names for objects in the Access database window, you can right click the table (Or any object for that matter) and choose "properties". In the description box you can type in description as long as you like. Then when the Database window is in "Details" view you will see the description.

Hope this helps as well

Sorry,

When you inport the DBF file into Excel, it should create a sheet tab that retains the DBF File name.

good luck

Thanks for the suggestion but I repeatr I would like to have names that are meaningful like File1Day58.dbf. Shortening them makes it more difficult to decifer between files. I do not want to have to pass files between Excel and Access. I was aware I could do this already.

OK,

Here is an Microsoft link claiming that you can heve Jet  3.5 and 4.0 Apps that co-exist
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/244040/EN-US/

Check the DBase site and see if they have an updated driver, that would allow filenames longer than the 8.3 limit?

A few more links:
http://www.albionresearch.com/misc/obscurities.php
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307455/EN-US/
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=263561
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/230125/EN-US/

Give them a look.

I hesitate to say "It can't be done"... but this MS link has this to say about un-installing Jet 4.0
<How to Uninstall...>
<Uninstall is not available.>
http://www.microsoft.com/WINDOWS2000/downloads/recommended/q282010/default.asp

The update claims to fix security vunerabilities so you may be stuck here.

Let's see if anyone else knows of a workaround.

You can find the short name which can be used to access the file as well as the long name  by running the command dir /x.  You can then link to this short name in Access and still use the long name also.

No comment has been added to this question in more than 21 days, so it is now classified as abandoned.

I will leave the following recommendation for this question in the Cleanup topic area:
    PAQ with points refunded

Any objections should be posted here in the next 4 days. After that time, the question will be closed.

jjafferr
EE Cleanup Volunteer

fine by me

Fine by me as well.