Converting an older Microsoft Access database (such as Access 2012) to a newer version (like Access 2016) involves opening the database in the newer version of Access and then saving it in the updated format.
Here are the steps to complete this task:
- Backup your Database: Before you start the conversion process, it's important to create a backup copy of your database. This provides a safety net if the conversion process encounters any issues.
- Open the Database in Access 2016: Launch Microsoft Access 2016 and open your Access 2012 database. You can do this by clicking 'File' > 'Open' > 'Browse', then navigating to the database file.
- Review Database Issues (if any): If there are any compatibility issues between your database and Access 2016, the 'Database Issues' dialog box will appear. This box will list any potential problems with the database, such as deprecated features or incompatible elements. Review these issues and make any necessary changes.
- Save the Database in the New Format: To save the database in the Access 2016 format, click on 'File' > 'Save As'. Under 'Database File Types', select 'Access Database (*.accdb)'. Click 'Save As'.
- Specify Database Location and Name: In the 'Save As' dialog box, navigate to the location where you want to save the new database. Specify a name for the new database file. Do not overwrite your old database file; use a new name to create a separate file.
- Complete the Conversion: Click 'Save' to finish the conversion. Access will save your database in the Access 2016 format.
Remember, the conversion process will not alter your original database file. Instead, it creates a new version of the database in the Access 2016 format. After the conversion, make sure to test the new database thoroughly to ensure that all elements function as expected.
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, there is no such thing as Access 2012. Access versions include 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019. Make sure to specify the correct versions when performing such tasks.
Access 2000 allows you to convert databases to be compatible with Access 97. This feature has not been available in earlier versions of the software, and it, most significantly, allows you to share Access 2000 databases with somebody who only has Access 97. To convert a database to be Access 97 compatible, open the Database window:
- From the Tools menu, choose Database Utilities, then Convert Database.
- Now choose To Prior Access Database Version from the Convert Database submenu. The Convert Database Into dialog will open up. This is a standard Save File dialog.
- Specify the new name and the location in which you want to store it.
When you go to open the database under Access 97, Access will finish converting the new database from that end.
There are a number of issues to keep in mind when converting from Access 2000 to Access 97:
- The database being converted cannot be a member of replica set.
- If there are links to Data Access Pages, they will be lost.
- Any data that relies on Unicode support in Access 2000 might not be converted correctly. Access 97 only uses ANSI.
- If a table contains a field with the FieldSize property of Decimal, it will not be converted. You will need to change the FieldSize property to Single or Double.
The next lesson is the module wrap-up. You will get a brief review of the topics you’ve covered in this module.
Also, you can take a quiz that will help you verify what you have learned and discover topics that you might want to review in a more detailed manner.