Works: How to Import Microsoft Access Files into Works

Works for Windows does not supply an external converter for reading the Microsoft Access native file format. However, there are two methods that will enable Works to use your Microsoft Access data. These are:

1. Use the Export command to save the Microsoft Access file in a format that Works can read.
2. Copy the records from a Microsoft Access table or query and paste them into a Works document.

NOTE: To convert a Microsoft Access file that has multiple tables, you must export each table as a separate file. Because Works is NOT a relational database, it only handles one table at a time. To have all the tables in one Works file, copy and paste the contents of each table into one Works database file.

Works can read the following file formats that Microsoft Access supplies:

• Text (Delimited)
• Text (Fixed Width)
• Lotus (WK1)
• Lotus (WKS)
• dBASE III
• dBASE IV
• Microsoft Excel

To save a file in dBASE III, dBASE IV, Excel, Lotus (WKS), or Lotus (WK1) file format from Microsoft Access, follow these steps:

1. In Microsoft Access, open the database that contains the data you want to export.
2. From the File menu, click Export.
3. In the Export box, click the desired file format to export and click OK or press ENTER.
4. From the Tables list, click the table you want to export and click OK or press ENTER.
5. Type a new filename and click the OK button.

The file is now in a format that Works can read.

To save a file in Text (Delimited) text file format from Microsoft Access, follow these steps:

1. In Microsoft Access, open the database that contains the data you want to export.
2. From the File menu, click Export.
3. In the Export box, click Text (Delimited) and click OK or press ENTER.
4. In the Select Microsoft Access Object dialog box, click the Table with the desired data in it and click OK or press ENTER.
5. In the Export To File dialog box, type a file name for the export file in the File Name box and click OK or press ENTER.
6. In the Export Text Options dialog box, click Store Field Names In First Row.
7. Click the Options button.
8. In the File Type box, click Windows (ANSI).
9. In the Text Delimiter box, click {none}.
10. In the Field Separator box, click {tab} and then click OK or press ENTER.

The file is now in a format that Works can read.

To save a file in a Fixed Width Text File Format from Microsoft Access, follow these steps.

NOTE: Before exporting in the Text (Fixed Width) text file format, an import/export specification must be created.

See page 78-79 of the "Microsoft Access User's Manual" for directions about creating or editing an import/export specification. Make sure the Text Delimiter box in the specification is set to None. Also, make sure the Field Separator box is set to Tabs.

After creating an import/export specification follow the steps below to complete the Text (Fixed Width) export:

1. In Microsoft Access, open the database that contains the data you want to export.
2. From the File menu, click Export.
3. In the Export box, click Text (Fixed Width) and click OK or press ENTER.
4. In the Select Microsoft Access Object dialog box, click the table with the desired data in it and click OK or press ENTER.
5. In the Export To File dialog box, type a filename for the export file in the File Name box and click OK or press ENTER.
6. In the Export Text Options dialog box, click the desired Specification Name and click OK or press ENTER.

The file is now in a format that Works can read.

To copy data from Microsoft Access and paste it into Works, follow these steps:

1. In Microsoft Access, highlight the desired records from a table or query result.
2. From the Edit menu, click Copy.NOTE: Microsoft Access always includes the field names as the first data record when you copy any selection of records.
   
   
3. Open Works for Windows.
4. Create or open an existing document, click Paste from the Edit menu. The Microsoft Access data appears as unformatted, tab-delimited text.