Converting Access Databases

In a multi-user environment, you may need to support users that run different versions of Access, or you may need to upgrade older databases to Access 2003. When you open a database from a previous Access version, Access 2003 prompts you to either upgrade the database file or open it without upgrading. You can also convert a database to the previous Access format.

Set Default Access File Format

Click the Tools menu, and then click Options.

Click the Advanced tab.

Click the Default File Format list arrow, and then click a format.

Click OK.

Convert a Database to Another Version of Access

Click the Tools menu, point to Database Utilities, and then point to Convert Database.

Click the command with the version in which you want to convert the database.

Enter the name for the converted database.

If necessary, click the Save In list arrow, and then select the drive and folder where you want to save the database.

Click Save.