ARCHIVED: In Microsoft Access 2000, 2002, or 2003, how do I convert a database from a previous version of Access?

In Microsoft Access 2000, 2002, or 2003, to convert a database from an earlier version of Access:

1. Make a backup copy of the Access database you wish to convert.
2. Close the Access database you wish to convert. If it is a multi-user database located on a server or in a shared folder, make sure that no one else has the database file open before proceeding.
3. From the Tools menu, select Database Utilities, and then Convert Database. In Access 2003, you will then be able to select To Access 2002-2003 File Format. In Access 2002, select Access 2002 File Format. In Access 2000, select To Current Access Database Version.
4. In the Database To Convert From dialog box, select the database you want to convert. Click Convert.
5. In the Convert Database Into dialog box, do one or both of the following:
   • Type a new name (without the .mdb extension) for the converted database file.
   • Select a different location for the converted database file. (In this case, you can keep the same name or change it.)

   Note: You cannot convert an Access database into a file with the same name and location as the original database.

6. Click Save. Microsoft Access will convert the database to the appropriate format.

Some notes on converting databases:

• When using newer versions (Office 2010 or Office 2007) of Access, you can convert a database by simply opening it and then saving it in the new format.
• You can convert a secured Access database. However, user-level security will no longer protect modules. You can protect the modules in the converted Access database by protecting the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code with a password.
• When you convert an Access database that has linked tables, make sure that the external tables are in the same folder in which they were originally located. If Access can't find the tables that are linked to a database that's being converted, you won't be able to use the converted database. Once you convert the Access database, you can move these tables and use the Linked Table Manager to re-link them. Converting a database that has tables linked to it does not convert the linked tables.
• You can also convert an Access database from an older version by importing its database objects into a new Access 2000, 2002, or 2003 database. You can use this method if you don't want all of the objects in the original database to exist in the new database.

This article is based on Microsoft Access Help.