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Avatar of Declan Basile
Declan Basile🇺🇸

Upgrading Access 97 system.mdw file to Access 2013
I just started upgrading my Access 2003 applications to Access 2013, and the first problem I stumbled upon is that I can't open a database when I specify the system.mdw file that I've been using with Access 2003.  *** Please note: I've been using the system.mdw file from when my Applications were in Access 97 and it's been working with Access 2003. ***  How can I convert an Access 97 system.mdw file to Access 2013?

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Avatar of Joe HowardJoe Howard🇺🇸

As long as you keep the old format it should work. It isn't supported in 2007+.
Avatar of Jim Dettman (EE MVE)Jim Dettman (EE MVE)🇺🇸

You'll need to convert the A97 workgroup file using A2000 - A2003 to JET 4.0 MDB format.  A2013 no longer supports JET DB's prior to 4.0.

 OR

 You can forget about workgroup security, which has been removed from the product.   Just convert the main DB to .accdb format and all the security will be stripped out.

Jim.
Avatar of Declan BasileDeclan Basile🇺🇸

ASKER

MacroShadow - Keep the old format of what?  The .mdb?

Jim - I don't understand what you mean.  What good would it do to have a .mdw file in a .mdb format?  Would I be able to specify a .mdb file in the /wrkgrp switch of an Access 2013 app?  Does Access 2013 still support the /wrkgrp switch?  Does the app have to have to be in .mdb format instead of this new .accdb format to be able to use the /wrkgrp switch?  Will Access 2013 support .mdb formatted databases?

Do I have the option of converting to .accdb format or staying with .mdb?  How do I know what version of .mdb I have?  What version of .mdb are Access 2003 .mdb databases vs. Access 97 databases?  Can't you even log into Access anymore?  Or use the currentuser() function in VBA to see who is logged in?  Can you explain in more detail?
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Avatar of Joe HowardJoe Howard🇺🇸

As long as you keep the mdb format (aka 97-2003) you can use workgroup security even if you open the file in Access 2013. In the newer Access versions workgroup security no longer exists, if you convert your file to accdb all workgroup security will be lost.
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Avatar of Jim Dettman (EE MVE)Jim Dettman (EE MVE)🇺🇸

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Avatar of Declan BasileDeclan Basile🇺🇸

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Wow, thanks for all of the answers to my questions.  So what is gained by converting to the accdb format?  Are there features in Access 2013 that I can't use if I open an mdb format file?
Avatar of Jim Dettman (EE MVE)Jim Dettman (EE MVE)🇺🇸

<<Are there features in Access 2013 that I can't use if I open an mdb format file? >>

  Yes.

1. The attachment and multi-value data types are not available.
2. You cannot use any of the enhanced integration with SharePoint related technologies and Web services in general
3. Strong encryption is not available.

 Jim.
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Avatar of Declan BasileDeclan Basile🇺🇸

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None of which I care about.  Thanks.  Just one more question ... Does Access 2013 have conditional formatting for listboxes, not just forms?
Avatar of Declan BasileDeclan Basile🇺🇸

ASKER

Thanks.
Avatar of Jim Dettman (EE MVE)Jim Dettman (EE MVE)🇺🇸

<<Does Access 2013 have conditional formatting for listboxes, not just forms? >>

 No.  A2013 does not have conditional formatting for list boxes.

Jim.
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Avatar of Declan BasileDeclan Basile🇺🇸

ASKER

It was a rumor, someone told me that it did, but I never read that it did.  Thanks again.
Avatar of Jim Dettman (EE MVE)Jim Dettman (EE MVE)🇺🇸

I have A2013 and I double checked.

Jim.
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Microsoft Access

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Microsoft Access is a rapid application development (RAD) relational database tool. Access can be used for both desktop and web-based applications, and uses VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) as its coding language.