General Access Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter George
  • Start date Start date
G

George

I use a inexpensive collection agency software. They
just informed me that it uses Microsoft Access 97 as its
database. This software package is very limited and
doesn't do all of the thing I would like it to. Could I
purchase Microsoft Access 2003 and open the database
which ends in the extension .mdb? Does Access work in a
similar manner to Excel where you can sort and move
columns of data, etc.?
 
I use a inexpensive collection agency software. They
just informed me that it uses Microsoft Access 97 as its
database. This software package is very limited and
doesn't do all of the thing I would like it to. Could I
purchase Microsoft Access 2003 and open the database
which ends in the extension .mdb?
Click to expand...

Is it possible? Yes, unless the developer has been very skilful at
securing the application. Is it legal? Almost certainly not, unless
you have that developer's permission.
Does Access work in a
similar manner to Excel where you can sort and move
columns of data, etc.?
Click to expand...

In about the same relationship as a crescent wrench is a tool just
like a hammer is a tool. THEY ARE DIFFERENT. Access is NOT a version
of Excel; you can certainly sort and arrange data, but applying
spreadsheet logic to a relational database will get you into no end of
difficulties! Go to Microsoft's website and read up a bit on
relational database design principles, or get a good book. Access has
a considerably steeper learning curve than Excel: be prepared to put
in some study time!
 
you can convert Access 97 MDBs into Access 2003 MDBs (maybe some adjusts
will be needed). Check if these programs are not MDE files. If they are, you
will not be able to change them.
Click to expand...

Be careful here...if you open an Access 97 database in a newer version it
will prompt you to convert the file to the newer version. This will likely
hose the original application and render it useless and there is no going
back. You should be able to link the tables without harm, but it sounds
like you need to learn a lot about Access first. I'd recommend picking up a
good book and understand some things before you do this. You could very
easily break the existing application by converting or inserting records
improperly.
 
You can't compare Excel to Access they are two different animals. Excel is
good for spreadsheet/accounting entries, Access is good for tracking all
kinds of data and within one mdb file.

Think of Excel as a flat file; structurally dependent. You enter data on
someone and then several rows later you enter some new information on that
person. There is no relationship between the first record entered vs the
record entered later. The only way you can see that they are indeed related
is by sorting the information. It is also very possible that you can enter
the person's name one way in record one and totally different in the other
record, thus creating inconsistent data.

Access is relational; structurally independent, therefore when you enter
data on a person any subsequent data will be reflect consistent information
because the customer's name will always be spelled correctly in every
record, across all tables that use that customer name.

You can sort data anyway you want in Access. Unlike Excel, if you mess the
sort where you get someone's else data with an entry, you won't with Access.
Access always keeps the data together. Access is much more powerful than
Excel. You can order the fields (columns) anyway you want, regardless of
how they are typed in. You can upgrade the 97 database to Access 2003 and
add the features you need. Note Access isn't limited, just the program that
was written is limited.

Note: There is a learning curve with Access, so you must understand some
concepts (normalization, data integrity, entity integrity, and referential
integrity) in database design before you embark on adding new items to your
current database.
 
Hi George,

you can convert Access 97 MDBs into Access 2003 MDBs (maybe some adjusts
will be needed). Check if these programs are not MDE files. If they are, you
will not be able to change them.

You can move and sort columns in queries and datasheet forms, but it does
NOT work like Excel.

[]
Luiz Cláudio C. V. Rocha
São Paulo-Brazil
 
Be careful here...if you open an Access 97 database in a newer version it
will prompt you to convert the file to the newer version. This will likely
hose the original application and render it useless and there is no going
back.
Click to expand...

While it is basically sound to link to the existing application rather than
converting, your information is incorrect here. First, when Access prompts
for the conversion, it will not let you save the file to the same name.
Therefore you would absolutely need to delete the original file or rename
it. Secondly, as with anything that affects an existing file, it is wise to
create a copy or backup. Third, Access 2003 has the ability to convert any
database from Access 97 through 2003 to any intervening version. A 2003
database can be converted back to 97, a 2000 database can be converted back
to 97 also from Access 2003.
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
Microsoft Access
Free Access downloads:
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access
 
Do not consider me an expert, but when I changed from
Access 97 to Access 2000 it was a 1 directional change, I
could not use the data on Access 97 anymore. I was able
to use Excel back and forth between 97 and 2000 with 'no'
problems. From what I've seen you can move columns in
Access (probably similar to Excel - I use Excel a lot, and
am just learning Access)
 
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