Access 2003 compatible MDE from 2007

[Guest]

I have set the default file format for my Access 2007 to save as Access
2002-2003, but it appears that I cannot open MDE's created in 2007 using
2003. Is there a way to do this, or do I need to lock the code using 2003
for compatibility?

Thanks in advance
Tim

 

[Guest]

Tim,

You cannot open an mde type file for editing in any version of Access. That
is the purpose of creating an mde, to keep anyone from making changes to the
database application.

You will need to locate the original mdb file to make modifications.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your quick response. Perhaps I did not state my question
clearly. Let me give a more detailed explanation of my question:

I am running and developing in Access 2007 for multiple users, some of which
are still running Access 2003.

I want to lock the code before distributing the database, so I've created an
MDE file. Although I have my default format in Access 2007 set to Access
2002-2003, users who open the database using 2003 are finding an error
stating that they cannot open the file because it was created with a later
form of Access. I was wondering if there is a way to create an MDE that is
compatible with Access 2003 from Access 2007.

Thanks again.

 

[Guest]

Tim,

As far as I know, if you want to create an mde that is compatable with 2003
you will have to create the mde with 2003.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your help.

Tim,

As far as I know, if you want to create an mde that is compatable with 2003
you will have to create the mde with 2003.

 

[Chris]

Hi,
Is this true?

If I upgrade to Access 2007, I will no longer be able to make MDE's that
work for users of Access 2003?

----

I'm running into the same problem, I'm trying to make changes to an 03 db
udpating some forms, queries etc.
When I create the MDE to deploy, my 03 users are getting errors of it being
in an unrecognized format.

This can't be right? I have to be able to make an MDE that 03 users can use
right?

 

[Rick Brandt]

Hi,
Is this true?

If I upgrade to Access 2007, I will no longer be able to make MDE's
that work for users of Access 2003?

----

I'm running into the same problem, I'm trying to make changes to an 03
db udpating some forms, queries etc.
When I create the MDE to deploy, my 03 users are getting errors of it
being in an unrecognized format.

This can't be right? I have to be able to make an MDE that 03 users can
use right?

Nope. MDEs are only forward compatible, never backward compatible. Even
an MDE created in 2003 cannot be opened by 2002 despite the fact that the
file format is actually the same.

 

[Tim Johnson]

What Rick says is true. However; since I originally posted this, Microsoft
has kindly offered to developers the Microsoft Access 2007 Runtime and Access
Developer Extensions.

You can use the Developer Extensions to package an executable installer, and
the Runtime allows users that don't have Access 2007 to use your application.

Both downloads are available free of charge at the following link:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/bb229700.aspx

Enjoy!
Tim