Quick way to determine file format of mdb (2003 sp1)

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I need a quick way for a casual user to tell if the MDB file they are using is in the Access 2000 format or the Access 2002-2003 format. I’m aware of the indication in the title bar of the database window, but is there any other way?

Thanks.

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Interactively:
You can look at the Tools | Database Utilities | Convert Database submenu. The greyed out option corresponds to the current format.

Automatic:
You can put a (locked) text box on the startup form of the database, with Control Source

=IIf([CurrentProject].[FileFormat]=9,"Access 2000","Access 2002/2003")


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I was aware of the Convert Database submenu as well, and thanks for the suggestion for the automatic way.

But that is not built into all databases at the moment.

My organization has chosen to convert all MDB’S to the newest file format, Access 2002-2003. So I have instructions for the users on how to do that, but I was looking for a way for them to tell what version the MDB is currently on. So unless there is another way, I’ll just instruct them to check the title bar, or maybe the Convert database sub menu, which ever turns out to be less steps for the users.

Thanks.

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I’m not sure what kind of method you had in mind.

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You can test the Jet version the database was created under using the Version property of the database. We use it all the time when testing to see if a data file needs to be migrated to a later version. You can do something like this:

Dim dbs As DAO.Database
Set dbs = DAO.OpenDatabase(strDatabaseFileName)
MDBJetVersion = dbs.Version
Set dbs = Nothing


It won’t give you something convenient like “Access 97”, but it will give you the DAO/Jet version used to create the file.

3.0	Access 95
3.5	Access 97
3.6	Access 2000/2002/2003

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Yeah, me either I guess. I thought there might be a hidden, right-click-on-the-mdb way or something, but must not be. Not a big deal.

Thanks.

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