The following list describes factors that prevent conversion to an earlier file format: If your database contains any of these features, and you attempt to save it as an earlier version database, Access displays a message and does not convert the database. accdb file format and are not supported by earlier versions of Access. Top of Page Factors that prevent conversion to an earlier file formatĬertain new data types and features can be used only in the. For example, by using the Convert Database command in Access 2003, you can convert an Access 2000 database or an Access 2002 - 2003 database to the Access 97 file format. Then you use an earlier version of Access to convert the database to the format that you want. Note: To convert an Access 2007 database to a file format that is compatible with Access 97 or earlier, you must first use Access 2007 to convert the database to the Access 2000 file format or the Access 2002 - 2003 file format. To make changes to the original database, you must reopen the original database. Any changes that you make to the database affect only the new copy. In the Save As dialog box, in the File name box, type a name for the database file, and then click Save.Īccess closes the original database and opens a new copy of the database in the format that you specified. mdb format that can be opened by using Access 2000, click Access 2000 Database (*.mdb). mdb format that can be opened by using Access 2002 or Access 2003, click Access 2002 - 2003 Database (*.mdb). Under Save Database As, do one of the following: Under File Types, click Save Database As. In the Open dialog box, select and open the database that you want to convert. accdb database to an earlier file formatįactors that prevent conversion to an earlier file formatĭo the following to create a copy of an Access database in a file format that you specify. This article provides the steps for converting a database to an earlier file format (.mdb) and discusses some of the factors that prevent you from converting a database. If you created an Access database in the (.accdb) file format, but you want to share the database with people who are using earlier versions of Access, such as before Access 2007, in most cases, you can convert the database to an earlier file format by using the Save As command. Access for Microsoft 365 Access 2021 Access 2019 Access 2016 Access 2013 Access 2010 Access 2007 More.