Connect to dBase 1

[AlanDI1]

I am trying to connect to a dBase file, select some data from that file, drop the link and move on with Access processing.

If I try to Link to the file using the regular Access File/Get External Data/Link Tables and select the DBF file I get a message that says "The Microsoft Jet Engine could not find the object <file name>. Make sure the object exists ...." eventhough I have just used the file browser to select it. That occurs if the file name is more than 8 characters. If it is 8 or less it works.

I have VBA code which is passed a full qualified file name and I do the following:

lcPath = loFileStr.getparentfoldername(pcInput)
lcFileName = loFileStr.GetBaseName(pcInput)
Set tdfInput = Outdb.CreateTableDef("INPUT")
' connect for a non-Access file is the path and the TableName is the file name
lcConnect = "dBASE IV;DATABASE=" & lcPath
tdfInput.Connect = lcConnect
tdfInput.SourceTableName = lcFileName
Outdb.TableDefs.Append tdfInput

Which also works as long as the file name is 8 characters or less. Again same results whether I use dBase III, IV or 5.

I have assumed -)) the TableName needs to be a DOS format name. So if the file is greater than 8 characters I take left 6 of the name and append "~1" to make it a DOS file name. That works on some machines and not on others. Why you ask, I wish I knew.

Does any one know a way to get the real DOS 8 character file name for the above mentioned dbf file? If I do a DIR in a COMMAND Window I get the Windows file name I don't thnik that will help.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I should also add that on machines where this process works I can't figure any way to make it fail (like multiple files with the same first 6 characters).

Thanks all

 

[PHV]

Have a look here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/script56/html/6c25d56e-466e-44d9-9221-6bf4dfa17c88.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/script56/html/78a2c3b6-9274-4411-a234-99f457e8bfd4.asp

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ181-2886

 

[AlanDI1]

That is absoluley wonderful. Those two scripts work.

Thanks a million.