Article ID: 926803 - Last Review: November 16, 2007 - Revision: 1.4

Error messages when you try to use Access 2007 to open a runtime mode database file in a Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 document library: "Microsoft Office Access cannot open this file"

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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario:
  • You open a Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 document library.
  • You locate a Microsoft Office Access 2007 runtime mode database file (*.accdr) in the document library.
  • You click the down arrow for the runtime database file, and then you click Edit in Microsoft Office Access.
In this scenario, you may receive the following error messages:
Some files can harm your computer. If the file information looks suspicious or you do not fully trust the source, do not open the file.
You are opening the following file:
Filename: database_name.accdr
From: SharePoint_server
Microsoft Office Access cannot open this file.
This file was converted to runtime mode by changing its file name extension to .accdr. This file will open only when Access is in runtime mode.
To open the file, either double-click it in Windows Explorer, open it by using a shortcut, or use the /runtime command-line switch.
To modify the design of this database, rename it with an .accdb file name extension, and then open it in Access.
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CAUSE

This problem occurs because Access 2007 does not support the direct editing of runtime mode database files. The Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 document library incorrectly indicates that you can edit Access 2007 runtime mode database files in Access 2007.
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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, follow these steps:
  1. In the Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 document library, click the down arrow next to the runtime mode database file, and then click Check Out.
  2. Click OK when you are prompted to save the runtime mode database file to the local drafts folder on the computer.

    Note By default, the runtime mode database file is saved to the following folder:
    %userprofile%\My Documents\SharePoint Drafts
    If you are not prompted to save the file to this folder, follow these steps:
    1. Right-click the runtime mode database file, and then click Save Target As.
    2. Click My Documents in the left pane, open the SharePoint Drafts folder, and then click Save.
  3. Click Start, click Run, type "%userprofile%\My Documents\SharePoint Drafts", and then click OK.

    Note If you saved the runtime mode database file to a folder other than the local drafts folder in step 2, open that folder in Windows Explorer.
  4. In Windows Explorer, locate the runtime mode database file in the folder that you opened in step 3.
  5. Right-click the runtime mode database file, click Rename, and then change the file name extension to .accdb.
  6. Double-click the runtime mode database file.
  7. Edit the runtime mode database file in Access 2007, and then save any changes that you make.
  8. In Windows Explorer, right-click the runtime mode database file, click Rename, and then change the file name extension to .accdr.
  9. In the SharePoint document library, click the down arrow next to the runtime mode database file, and then click Check In.
  10. Click Ok on the Check In page, and then click Yes to confirm that you want to upload the file.
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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Office Access 2007
  • Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
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Keywords: 
kberrmsg kbtshoot kbdatabase kbprb kbexpertiseinter KB926803
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