Access 97 and 2003 (Access 97)

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I ahve a database designed in Access 97. We are currently upgrading departments to 2003. It will take about 6 months to get all users coverted. I need the database to work for both versions. What do I need to do?

Thanks!

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During the transition period, you can keep the Access 97 backend in use, and give the Access 2003 users a frontend in Access 2000 format. Performance will be less than optimal, so you should try to keep the transition period as short as possible.

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Ok. It is something that can be done but how do I do this? Do I convert it first?

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Are your Access 97 databases already split into a backend database containing only tables and frontend database containing all other database objects plus links to the tables in the backend?
If not, you should start doing that now. The easiest way is to use Tools | Add-Ins | Database Splitter. You can also do it manually:
– Create a blank new database.
– Import all tables into the new database.
– Open the original database, delete all tables, then use File | Get External Data | Link Tables… to create links to the tables in the new database.
– The new database with the tables is the backend; the original database has become the frontend.
– Give each Access 97 user a copy of the frontend.
– Now open (a copy of) the frontend in Access 2003.
– Access will ask you whether you want to open it or convert it. Select Convert, and save the converted frontend under a suitable name.
– Test the converted frontend.
– If everything is OK, give each user switching to Access 2003 a copy of the new frontend.
– When everybody is on Access 2003, convert the backend too.
– Rename the ’97 version and keep it in a safe place.
– Give the new backend the name of the original one.

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Ok. I understand the process. Let me ask you this. We use a program called the winmenu to provide access to certain programs to certain people. Our IS department connects the programs to the winmenu. Currently, there is one icon for the database. If I do this, will I need to have 2 icons and explain to the users if you have 97 click here and 2003 click here?

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It would be best to give each user a local, individual copy of the frontend. Perhaps you don’t need Winmenu in that situation – I cannot tell you that, I don’t know how Winmenu works.

If you do need Winmenu, it would be nice if IS could configure it in such a way that the icon refers to different files for Access 97 and Access 2003 users. Otherwise, you’ll have to create two icons.

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