How to convert to a different file format in Access 2002

This article demonstrates how to convert an Access database to the Access 97, Access 2000, and Access 2002 file formats while you are in Access 2002.

Introduction

To make design changes to a database, it must be in the Access 2000 or Access 2002 file format. This article shows you how to convert Access databases to different file formats while you are in Access 2002.

If you try to open a database in Access 2002, you may receive a prompt to open or convert the file. Click Convert and the database converts to the default file format. After the database is converted, it opens. If, instead of clicking Convert, you click Open, the prompt may not appear again.

For more information about how to change the default file format, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type Change the default file format in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

Convert to Access 97 File Format

1. Start Access 2002.
2. On the Tools menu, point to Database Utilities, point to Convert Database, and then click To Access 97 File Format.
3. In the Database to Convert From dialog box, select the Access database that you want to convert, and then click Convert.
4. In the Convert Database Into dialog box, type a unique database name, and then save it to the appropriate folder.
5. Click Save. This may return the following message:
   After you have converted this file to Access 97 File Format, any functionality specific to Access 2000 or Access 2002 will be lost.
   
   For more information about conversion, click Help.
6. Click OK. This returns you to the Access user interface.

Convert to Access 2000 File Format

1. Start Access 2002.
2. On the Tools menu, point to Database Utilities, point to Convert Database, and then click To Access 2000 File Format.
3. In the Database to Convert From dialog box, select the Access database that you want to convert, and then click Convert.
4. In the Convert Database Into dialog box, enter a unique database name, and then save it to the appropriate folder.
5. Click Save. You may receive the following message:
   After you have converted this file to Access 2000 File Format, the new file cannot be shared with Access 97 users.
   
   Any functionality specific to Access 2002 will not be available in Access 2000.
   
   For more information about conversion, click Help.
6. Click OK. This returns you to the Access user interface.

Convert to Access 2002 File Format

1. Start Access 2002.
2. On the Tools menu, point to Database Utilities, point to Convert Database, and then click To Access 2002 File Format.
3. In the Database to Convert From dialog box, select the Access Database that you want to convert, and then click Convert.
4. In the Convert Database Into dialog box, enter a unique database name, and then save it to the appropriate folder.
5. Click Save. You may receive the following message:
   After you have converted this file to Access 2002 File Format, the new file cannot be shared with Access 2000 users or Access 97 users.
   
   For more information about conversion, click Help.
6. Click OK. This returns you to the Access user interface.

For additional information about conversion, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: