Problem opening MDE file created in ACCESS 2010

[lizray]

I have an MDB saved in Access 2003. When I open this in Access 2010 all seems ok and then while in Access 2010 I save as MDE file and it owrks ok. When I then open the MDE file in Access 2003, I get the meassage "This database is in an unrecognised format....may have been created with a later version...". Has anyone experienced this ?

 

[alvechurchdata]

I've not had the message in that particular scenario but I'm not surprised that Access 2003 can't recognise a file format from seven years into its future. If you need an MDE for 2003 users and for 2010 users then I think you'll need to keep Access 2003 and Access 2010 on your machine and build two MDEs.

I hope I'm wrong though and that somebody knows of a workaround.

Geoff Franklin

http://www.alvechurchdata.co.uk

 

[lizray]

Sorry, I did not mention that although I was using ACCESS 2010, I had saved the MDB in 2002-3 format, and as far as I can tell, the MDE was also 2002-3, otherwise it creates an accde file

 

[boblarson]

To create an MDE file that someone can use in a specific version, it needs to be CREATED from that version. You CANNOT create a 2003 MDE file from 2010 which can be opened by 2003. It just will not happen - period.

You would need to have the users use the free Access 2010 runtime to run the file.

Bob Larson
FORMER Microsoft Access MVP (2008-2009, 2009-2010)
Free Tutorials/Samples/Tools:

http://www.btabdevelopment.com

 

[lizray]

Thanks for the advice. You must be right as this is the behavior I am experiencing. I thought that the mde file was for Access 2003 and lower and the accde was for access 2007 and higher.

 

[boblarson]

I thought that the mde file was for Access 2003

It is but any mde file MUST be made by the actual version that it is for. So, you can't make a 2000 mde file from 2002 or 2003. You have to do it from 2000. The same goes for 2003 mde's. 2007 and 2010 can USE them, but they can't create them for use in the lower version.

Bob Larson
FORMER Microsoft Access MVP (2008-2009, 2009-2010)
Free Tutorials/Samples/Tools:

http://www.btabdevelopment.com

 

[lizray]

I understand.
Thanks you very much Bob

 

[lizray]

Bob, I am scratching my head as to why Access 2010 lets you make an MDE file (for 2002-3 Access) but you cannot use it in 2002-3. So you might as well just make ACCDE files. Can you comment on this please

 

[boblarson]

Because you don't have to upgrade the file to 2007 type to continue to use the 2002-2003 file.

Bob Larson
FORMER Microsoft Access MVP (2008-2009, 2009-2010)
Free Tutorials/Samples/Tools:

http://www.btabdevelopment.com