Upgrade from Access 2003 to 2007

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I have just got notice that we are upgrading to Access 2007. I have a lot of databases that need to be converted. Is it as simple as opening the database in Access 2007 and the database will be converted? What are the issues that I may run into? Is the Access interface as changed as Excel?

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Just like Word 2007 and Excel 2007, Access 2007 boasts the new ribbon interface.

Access 2007 can open databases in Access 2000 and Access 2002/2003 format (.mdb) without needing any conversion. You can also create and edit databases in those formats.

Access 2007 also has a new database format, .accdb, which can only be opened in Access 2007 and later, not in Access 2003 or before. But you’re not required to use it.

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Just like Word 2007 and Excel 2007, Access 2007 boasts the new ribbon interface.

Access 2007 can open databases in Access 2000 and Access 2002/2003 format (.mdb) without needing any conversion. You can also create and edit databases in those formats.

Access 2007 also has a new database format, .accdb, which can only be opened in Access 2007 and later, not in Access 2003 or before. But you’re not required to use it.

I guess the problem is going to be trying to find the location of things. How do I do (locate) things in 2007 when I am used to the location in 2003? I don’t want to spend hours saying, “This is how I did it in 2003 – now how do I do it in 2007.”

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Microsoft has an Interactive: Access 2003 to Access 2007 command reference guide (Flash Player needs to be installed) that shows where the equivalent of an Access 2003 command is located in Access 2007.

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Microsoft has an Interactive: Access 2003 to Access 2007 command reference guide (Flash Player needs to be installed) that shows where the equivalent of an Access 2003 command is located in Access 2007.

Thanks Hans that is helpful. I noticed that where it says find more commands – for Pages, Maros and Modules it says “This command is unavailable in the blank database view of access 2007”. Does this mean these options aren’t available in 2007? My databases that I need to covert have macros and modules.

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I’m sure they are available, but I don’t have Access 2007 myself, so I can’t provide details.

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Thanks Hans that is helpful. I noticed that where it says find more commands – for Pages, Maros and Modules it says “This command is unavailable in the blank database view of access 2007”. Does this mean these options aren’t available in 2007? My databases that I need to covert have macros and modules.

Those options are definitely available in 2007. The Macro capability has been enhanced quite a bit, but the ribbon used with it is pretty intuitive. For Modules, nothing has changed – it’s the same toolbar and menus you know and “love.” One thing that has been a real annoyance from my perspective is the handling of custom toolbar and right-click menus. If you don’t have them, it isn’t an issue, but if you do post back and I’ll point you to the workarounds – in general develop in 2003 and deploy in 2007. Another missing feature is User Security – you can still implement it in 2003 and have it work in 2007, but the admin of it is more difficult.

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Thanks Hans that is helpful. I noticed that where it says find more commands – for Pages, Maros and Modules it says “This command is unavailable in the blank database view of access 2007”. Does this mean these options aren’t available in 2007? My databases that I need to covert have macros and modules.

You might want to check out Allen Browne’s site Microsoft Access tips: Converting to Access 2007 as it has a nice summary of the pros and cons. We’ve converted several clients to 2007 in the last year or so, and so far none of them have gone back to 200X. But there has been some pain with each.

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I have just got notice that we are upgrading to Access 2007. I have a lot of databases that need to be converted. Is it as simple as opening the database in Access 2007 and the database will be converted? What are the issues that I may run into? Is the Access interface as changed as Excel?

For what it is worth, among other entities, I work with two large state universities with custom Access applications. One university’s IT dept resisted for months going to Office 2007, then eventually succumbed to pressure from a few department heads and took about three days updating the staff and some students. They then spent the better part of four weeks undoing it and going back to 2003.

The other university offered training on 2007 to anyone interested. About one third of staff attended. Of those attending, about one half decided to “upgrade”. Of those that “upgraded” about half of that group asked to go back to 2003 after a few days to weeks. From my involvement with these guys and a few others, it seems like experienced users do not like 2007 and the newbies do like it. For me, it has created a headache because I had helped some of the users create custom toolbars which do not show up in the 2007 version.

As one of the experienced users, I find the interface cumbersome and not at all intuitive. Going from Office 97 through all versions up to and including 2003 transitioning was a breeze for me and anyone else I know. I am sure that Microsoft, in all their wisdom have a great reason for such a departure from the previous standards. But they make me wish I was using a Mac again. LOL

Good luck.

Ken

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