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Error message when you try to open a compiled database file or a compiled project file in Access 2007: "This database is in an unrecognized format"

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Article ID:946205
Last Review:April 2, 2008
Revision:3.0
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SYMPTOMS

When you try to open a compiled database file (.accde or .mde) or a compiled project file (.ade) in Microsoft Office Access 2007, you receive the following error message:
This database is in an unrecognized format.

The database may have been created with a later version of Microsoft Office Access than the one you are using. Upgrade your version of Microsoft Office Access to the current one, and then open this database.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs if the compiled database file or the compiled project file was created on a computer that has the 2007 Microsoft Office suites Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed. This problem occurs when you try to open the file that you created, and the following conditions are true:
•You try to open the file on a computer that has the original version of Access 2007 installed.
•The 2007 Office suites Service Pack 1 is not installed on the computer.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods.

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Method 1

Install the 2007 Office suites Service Pack 1 on the computer on which you are trying to open the file.

For more information about the 2007 Office suites Service Pack 1, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
936982 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936982/) Description of the 2007 Microsoft Office suites Service Pack 1

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Method 2

Install the hotfix package that Microsoft Knowledge Base article 943249 describes. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
943249 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943249/) Description of the Access 2007 hotfix package: January 28, 2008
Note After you install the hotfix that Knowledge Base article 943249 describes, any database or project that is compiled on the computer cannot be opened on a computer that still has the original version of Access 2007 installed.

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WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, create the compiled database file or the compiled project file on a computer that does not have the 2007 Office suites Service Pack 1 installed.

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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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Steps to reproduce the problem

1. Install 2007 Office suites Service Pack 1 on a computer.
2.Start Access 2007.
3.Click the Microsoft Office button Microsoft Office Button, and then click New.
4.Click Blank Database, and then click Create.
5.Click the Database Tools tab, and then click Make ACCDE in the Database Tools section.
6. In the File name box, type a name for the file, and then click Save.
7.On a computer that does not have the 2007 Office suites Service Pack 1 installed, try to open the file that you created in step 4.

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APPLIES TO
•Microsoft Office Access 2007

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Keywords: 
kbtshoot kbpubtypekc kberrmsg kbprb KB946205

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