Avatar of Craig Yellick
Craig Yellick
Flag for United States of America asked on

Convert Access 97 .mdb file to .accdb file

Very annoyingly, according to the official Microsoft docs the only way to convert an old .mdb file is to open it in Access 2003.

See section titled "Convert an Access 97 database to the .accdb format".

Nice, but I don't have Access 2003. A crisp twenty to the first person who has a copy of Access 2003 handy and can convert the file!  I think the file is Access 97, but could be 2000. Don't think that matters.
Microsoft AccessMicrosoft Applications

Avatar of undefined
Last Comment
Jim Dettman (EE MVE)

8/22/2022 - Mon
John

Get a copy of Office 2003 Professional on eBay. These are easily come by. Check the licensing is valid, obtain the copy and convert.
Scott C

If you're offering money you need to put this in  Gig.

I'm not sure if this goes against the terms of service for this site, but I wouldn't take a chance.

Or get one on eBay...here's one for $11.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Office-2003-standard-edition-/361741177006?hash=item54397450ae:g:8dUAAOSwYIxX4EmD
crystal (strive4peace) - Microsoft MVP, Access

you can also convert Access 97 databases with Access 2007
All of life is about relationships, and EE has made a viirtual community a real community. It lifts everyone's boat
William Peck
Craig Yellick

ASKER
I tried making it a gig but the minimum gig amount is $50, and that's a pretty steep for five minutes of effort.

I could buy a copy by that'll take way longer than finding someone with a copy handy.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Eric Sherman

THIS SOLUTION ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.
View this solution by signing up for a free trial.
Members can start a 7-Day free trial and enjoy unlimited access to the platform.
See Pricing Options
Start Free Trial
GET A PERSONALIZED SOLUTION
Ask your own question & get feedback from real experts
Find out why thousands trust the EE community with their toughest problems.
crystal (strive4peace) - Microsoft MVP, Access

If you plan to move it to an accdb, better to go directly to 2007 ...
Craig Yellick

ASKER
The Microsoft docs don't mention anything about using Access 2007, but that's moot as I don't have any older version of Access around.
⚡ FREE TRIAL OFFER
Try out a week of full access for free.
Find out why thousands trust the EE community with their toughest problems.
Craig Yellick

ASKER
Thanks, etsherman. That's exactly what I was hoping. Someone with Access 2003 at hand.
crystal (strive4peace) - Microsoft MVP, Access

going from 97 to 2003 and then to accdb can cause issues that don't happen if you go from 97-2007.
Craig Yellick

ASKER
It's a super simple little database documentation utility I wrote a long time ago. Doubt it will have any conversion issues. It'll end up as an Access 2016 utility.
Your help has saved me hundreds of hours of internet surfing.
fblack61
crystal (strive4peace) - Microsoft MVP, Access

it does not have to do with conversion issues -- it is all the new properties that have been added that 97  didn't have. All I am saying is that if the goal is accdb, then 2007 is a better mid-point for less fixing and smoother sailing down the road.
Jim Dettman (EE MVE)

Send it along and I'll convert it for you.

 e-mail address is in my prfile (click on my picture).

Jim.
Jim Dettman (EE MVE)

Here's the e-mail (kind of hard to find since EE changed the profiles):

jimdettman"AT"online-computer-services.net

Jim.
⚡ FREE TRIAL OFFER
Try out a week of full access for free.
Find out why thousands trust the EE community with their toughest problems.
Craig Yellick

ASKER
Thanks for the offer, Jim, but etsherman already has the file.
crystal (strive4peace) - Microsoft MVP, Access

perhaps this is an opportunity to compare what happens to the 2 conversions once they are an accdb since Jim would probably do it for you free if you let us know ;) ~
Jim Dettman (EE MVE)

<<Thanks for the offer, Jim, but etsherman already has the file.>>

 Sorry, I missed that comment and I thought you were being told to get 2003 on e-bay.

 I have everything from A97 up through A2013 loaded and could install A2 or A95 if need be (yeah I'm a bit of a pack rat<g>).

Jim.
I started with Experts Exchange in 2004 and it's been a mainstay of my professional computing life since. It helped me launch a career as a programmer / Oracle data analyst
William Peck