Change the default file format

When you create a new blank database, Access asks you to name the database file. By default, the file is given the .accdb extension. Access creates it in the .accdb file format for your version, so earlier versions of Access can't read it.

You can also create files in either the Access 2000 format or the Access 2002-2003 format, which both use the .mdb extension. When you create a new database file, the file is created in the earlier Access format and can be shared with people who use that version of Access. This can help if you've upgraded to a later version but still share files with people who haven't.

To change the default file format

1. Click the File tab.
2. Click Options.
3. In the Access Options dialog box, click General.
4. Under Creating databases, in the Default file format for Blank Database box, select the file format you want as the default.
5. Click OK.
6. Click File > New.
7. To create a new file, type the file name that you want, leave the extension as is, and then click Create. If you don't want to create a file at this time, click Cancel.

Convert a database from one format to another

If you have an existing database that you want to convert to a different format, you can choose a format under Save Database As. This command keeps the database in its original format and creates a copy in the format that you specify. You can then use the copy with the version of Access that you want.

1. If the database is not open already, open the database you want to convert.

2. Click File > Save As > Save Database As.

   Note

   If any database objects are open when you try to save it in a different format, Access must close the objects prior to creating the copy. Click Yes to have Access close the objects (Access prompts you to save any changes, if needed), or click No to cancel the entire process.

3. In the File name box in the Save As dialog box, type a file name for the copy of the database.

4. Click Save. Access creates the copy and then opens it.