The database file format in Microsoft Access 97 is different from the file format in earlier versions; however, you can export tables from a Microsoft Access 97 database to a database created by an earlier version.

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If you need both Microsoft Access 97 users and users of an earlier version of Microsoft Access to share the same data, you have two alternatives:

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You can open (or enable) the database. The Open option will leave your database unchanged, so you will be able to share it with users of earlier versions. You can make changes to the data, but you will not be able to make design changes to the database in Microsoft Access 97. NOTE: Even though the Open option leaves your original database unchanged, there may be some conversion issues that apply if you are sharing your database between Microsoft Access 95 and Microsoft Access 97.

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You can create a front-end database for each version of Microsoft Access that will be accessing the data. The front-end should contain all of the objects, except tables. Move the tables to a back-end database that is in the format of the earliest version of Microsoft Access that will be accessing the data. Each of the front-end databases can then link (or attach) the tables in the back-end.

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For more information about compatibility with earlier versions of Microsoft Access, search the Microsoft Access 97 Help Index for "compatibility," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.

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