ITS Tech Tips: Office Tips

Microsoft Access - the old and the new

The file formatting for Office 2007 has changed. It is now based on XML which allows for smaller, stronger, more secure files. When you convert an Access database, you'll definitelysee a difference in the file size. For example, a 5498KB file in the 2000 format (mdb) shrank to 2288KB in the new 2007 format (accdb). Keep in mind however, you can still open older files with the new program; it will just run in Compatibility Mode which means it will still keep everything in the older format (mdb).

The first thing you'll notice upon opening an existing database that was created in an older version of Access is that the switchboard doesn't appear to work.

There will be a Security Warning message above the form that certain content has been disabled.

• Click on the Options button that appears.

• Check the radio button for Enable this content .

The switchboard and any other macros within the file should work as before.

This process will need to be repeated every time you open the file unless you add the file location to your Trusted Locations.

• Click on the Office Button and then click on the Access Options button at the bottom of the menu.
• Click on Trust Center on the left navigation menu.

In the Microsoft Access Trust Center section,

• Click on the Trust Center Settings button.

In the Trust Center window that appears,

• Click on the Trusted Locations option on the left navigation menu.

• Check the box for Allow Trusted Locations on my network (even though it's not recommended). You can skip this step if the file is located on a local drive.
• Click the button for Add new location.

• Browse for and add the folder you want to be trusted. If it has subfolders, make sure you check the box for Subfolders of this location are also trusted (seen in picture above).
• Click OK to close all the dialog boxes.

If you want more details on exactly (warning - some of the info is fairly technical) the differences between the new version of Access files and old, check out

http://allenbrowne.com/Access2007.html

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Page last updated 07/29/09. Send questions or comments to ITS Training.