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Hello, I have started volunteering at an NGO that has really antiquated computers. I would like to make an Access database for them but I am using Access 2010 at home. Can I make a database in Access 2010 and then convert it to be able to run in Access 2003 on Windows XP?

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Saleve,

Welcome to the Lounge as a new poster! :cheers:

Yes, this can be done. You have 2 main concerns:

1. You MUST use the .mdb data file and NOT the .accdb.
2. You need to avoid any features/controls/etc. that are not available in Access 2003.

My advice would be that you’d be better off getting a copy of Access 2003 and doing the work there. It’s way too easy to use something in 2010 that won’t work when ported down. HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Thank you for that fast reply! Another small question… Is there any way to get Access 2003 for my computer? (I’m running Windows 7).

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Saleve,

Just google “Microsoft Access 2003” lots of choices. HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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The only issue I had with an Office 2003 application, FrontPage, was that I had to remove it before installing the 64-bit version of Office 2010, seems the 32-bit versions of Office applications don’t work with the newer 64-bit version. Office 2010 is the first to be available as either 32-bit or 64-bit. Both versions are compatible with 64-bit Windows but 64-bit programs won’t work on 32-bit Windows.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Thanks!

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You’re welcome.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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IIRC, there is a free runtie for Access 2010 databases that runs on XP. So if you are doing all the design, I believe that would be an alternative.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=10910

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Given the risks with XP, you might also want to be aware that Microsoft has a software donation program (http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/en-us/nonprofits/software-donations/) for US NGO’s. The NGO must apply and be accepted, AND the current version of the OS (Windows 8.1) is the only OS version that’s available. Given what you’ve said about older computers, Windows 8.1 and newer versions of Office 365 may not be an option due to heavier requirements.

Also a reminder that if the NGO deals with protected health insurance (PHI), a HIPAA security violation can result in ghastly fines and criminal charges where there is willful non-compliance.

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Thank you. That is interesting. It’s actually a Swiss charity. As an aside, do most people hate Windows 8 or is it just me? After a year of dealing with the annoying tiles – not to mention the long startup time and inconvenient interface – I changed back to Windows 7.

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Not sure I agree with the advice to build in Access 2003.

Here’s the problem. You are targetting a 12 year old version of Office and thus your “new” database starts off with a distinctly “old” design goal. Also, Access is strongly versioned and so upgrading tends to be more work than with any other program in the Office suite.

My general rule of thumb is, Build for the Future, not the Past.

OK, so it’s an NGO. They likely want to keep office overhead and expenses low and upgrading is more of a challenge. However they cannot be unaware of their elderly computing base, and getting support for these old systems is getting difficult. You may be aware that Microsoft has stopped all patching activities for Windows XP for instance.

Here’s the thing. Have you talked to the NGO about the possibility of upgrading? Maybe there’s an upgrade in the works you don’t know about. Also, your Access database could be the very thing needed to trigger an upgrade.

Also, you may not need an NGO-wide upgrade. Perhaps your Access database is of limited use within the NGO. In that case the financial committment the NGO makes is lower.

If you target Office 2010 and Windows 7, this is actually a very conservative design goal in IT terms. In fact this could itself become a bit of a problem–these are no longer the most current Microsoft products. The NGO when it invests in office equipment, likely wants to get the best value and that usually means the newest stuff. You could in fact be facing Windows 8.1 and Office 2013 at the NGO.

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Hi! I work in nonprofit technology and if your charity decides to upgrade, I suggest looking into TechSoup.org — they are a global organization that provides technology and resources to NGOs. Orgs can get substantially discounted software (windows and office, fundraising database, fund accounting, membership management, etc.) through their international programs. They may even be able to get hardware too, depending on the programs available in your country.

Also, what kind of database does the NGO want you to build? It might actually be less expensive (not to mention less work!) to customize an “off-the-shelf” software/cloud package from TechSoup if they qualify for member discounts. Look into it! They have lots of resources.

Good luck!

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do most people hate Windows 8

Maybe, but then could be they just don’t like change. I’ve helped some people by the simple free addition of Classic Shell, gets a Start button back and Start Menu on the Desktop view. I guess the phrase of “familiarity breeds contempt” could apply to the visual change of 8/8.1, folks just want the familiar things and have contempt for the new. The 8.1 Update does help somewhat.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Thanks to all of you. The NGO is tiny – there are two of us in the office, i.e., two (very old) computers. They are also quite disorganized and one of my first tasks will be to get things in order. I don’t know exactly what the database will look like yet (I just started there), but it will be very specific to their unique work flow. I just upgraded to Access 2013 at home, although I’m still on Windows 7. So I will look into everything… Your input has been really helpful!

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Just to throw in a couple of suggestions that may or may not be useful.

1 – if you’re going to develop for an older platform, it might be easier to recreate that platform in a virtual PC and work there. Then no version conflicts, etc on your main system. Oracle Virtual Box with an old copy of WinXP you have and stick Office 2003 in there.

But I agree with the point about building for the future. Fixing the old may be an exercise in futility.

2 – Another consideration, esp for an NGO, is going with the Open Document standard. Some governments in Europe mandate that. Suites like OpenOffice and LibreOffice fully support that and are free. If you take that route, I’d recommend an external database (Access has the issue too). I review the technique here.
http://fornow.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/better-base-databases/

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Interesting! Thank you.

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I didn’t want to mention this in my first post. Too much information and too many choices can be a barrier to decision making.

However with regards to the NGO’s financial ability and interest in upgrading. You might want to consider going with some combination of Linux and OpenOffice/LibreOffice. This would lower the software costs. It does not significantly lower the hardware costs (without getting into low resource oriented versions of Linux, again, too much detail for this discussion).

OpenOffice has a database called Base. Unfortunately I cannot speak to how programmable this database is or what your skill level with it will be. I’m just noting that it’s there and it’s a viable choice for some.

In order for this direction to be viable, you need to consider the other employees/volunteers at the NGO. Do you dare change them over? What sort of training and support will they need? Do other applications exist that are tied to Microsoft Office or Internet Explorer? Realistically, if you trigger the switch then you’ll likely become primary support for ALL computing needs at the NGO. If this happens and soon you leave the NGO, what state does that leave the NGO in?

These are core change management issues. Your goal needs to be to make the best decision for the NGO. Good luck!

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Thank you for your help!

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