converting Access 2000 to 2007

[ncsthbell]

We currently have Access 2000 and are converting to 2007. I have a very complicated Access application and am so lost with where to start. When I bring the application up, there are different tabs at the top (I see these on the tutorial under office.microsoft.com. They are showing "home" "create" "external data" "database tools" and "datasheet". When I open my application, the only one I see is "help". Why can't I see the other ones? I am a developer and I need to have access to these. 2007 seems so different that it is overwhelming... especially with our time line to get all of our access databases converted.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Also, I have 2000 on my machine and have install 2007 in a different folder. Could this possibly cause any issues?

[Denburt]

@ncsthbell
I have MS Access 2003 and 2007 installed on this machine and that shouldn't be a problem. It sounds like you either have some VBA code hiding the menu or it is unchecked under the options for that database. In the top left you have the "Office Button" click it then look at the bottom right next to exit Access you can see an "options" button click it. Then on the left menu look for "Current Database" Scroll down to "Ribbon and Toolbar Options" are the menu items checked or unchecked? I do wish you luck on your time lines. I converted 1 db to some extent but it looked like it was going to take a while so I have put my conversions off for a while thankfully I am not under a crunch to get them done (yet). Let us know if that helps.

[ncsthbell]

I do not have the 'Access Options' button under my MS OFFice button, all I see is 'exit Access'. There has got to be some setting somewhere that I need to set. It is almost as if this is opening in a 'non development' mode.

[Denburt]

The database you are trying to convert doesn't have an mde extension does it?

[ncsthbell]

My 2000 access app just has a .mdb extension.

[Denburt]

Not sure about MS Access 2007 but in earlier versions you can hold the shift key down when opening the database and it will bypass the main form preventing it from opening and running any code associated with it. That feature can also be disabled by using code so it may or may not be available. It definitely sounds like they have something in the code disabling the menus and such.

[NeoPa]

I have no personal experience, but I heard that 2007 has a default that sets unsigned code projects so that the code is quarantined.

Could this be your problem (or part of it at least)?

[mshmyob]

It appears your code has turned off the default AC2007 menus.

To get them all back do the following:

1. Look at the top to the right of the Big Office button you will see a little down arrow with a line above it. Click on that.

2. Select 'More Commands'

3. Select 'Current Database'

4. Scroll down to the Ribbon and Toolbars section

5. Ensure 'Allow Full Menus', 'Allow Default Shortcut Menus', 'Allow Toolbars' are all checked (ie have check marks beside them.

6. Click 'OK' button at bottom

7. Close database and reopen

Let us know if that solves your problem.

cheers,

[ncsthbell]

Your my hero! I now have all the options listed under the MS Office button. I also have all the tabs on the Ribbon except for 'DataSheet'. I went through all the options and did not see one to make this tab available.
Thank you SO much!

[mshmyob]

Glad that worked for you. Not to sure what you mean by the 'Datasheet' tab though so I can't help you there.

cheers,

@ncsthbell

[puppydogbuddy]

Re: running 2007 and any earlier version on the same machine

In my opinion, unless you set up a Virtual Machine (see below), you are asking for trouble if you try to run 2007 and (any other version of Access) on the same machine, and most especially if you try to run them at the same time. IMO it's an exercise in futility doing this ...

Microsoft recommends running a virtual pc. See this link (includes free ms download). ** Link removed due to site rules **

Virtual PC (VPC) is a software solution for the Windows platform that is designed to enable the running of multiple operating systems on the same physical computer, virtualizing the hardware of that physical computer, allowing each operating system to run the application programs that were written for that specific Windows platform. The software is designed to rapidly switch to alternate operating systems or configurations, eliminating lengthy reconfiguration and rebooting between calls.

Take the Virtual PC tour and read the FAQ. That should answer most of your questions - see Virtual PC at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=78095.

VPC comes with an uninstall program that should work for the most part, but like everything else can have problems that require an extra step or two to resolve. see this link as an example:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/884130

Anyway, you should have adequate backups and should test on a test machine before using in a production environment.

[Megalog]

I swap between 2003 & 2007 on the same machine once in a while. The only problem I have is the annoying wait for 2007 to reconfigure itself as the system default after using 2003.

I did try running both at the same time.. that was BAD =) I would definitely use a VM for that situation. But I've had no problem havin both installed on the system, and using them one at a time.

[puppydogbuddy]

Megalog,
Thanks for your feedback. It basically substantiates what I said about running Access 2007 and other versions of Access simultaneously on the same PC.
In additon, your mention of the annoying wait for 2007 to reconfigure itself as the system default after using 2003 is something a VPC would enable you to avoid.

[Denburt]

Thanks for the input Dog, I would just like to add a tidbit or two if i may. "Don't even think about trying to install two versions of outlook on the same operating system" I did for fun and it was disastrous, I found that once they crashed i couldn't do an install of either version even after uninstall etc. I had to do major cleanup, and had many other problems. That was just my own observation also if you do install two versions of office don't try to send a spreadsheet or other office item to outlook unless they are of the same version.

I have been running 2003 and 2007 on the same machine for about a year and I would just like to say that fortunately I haven't had to many problems. I have automated scripts that run during the day and it tends to open office 2007 as a default but it reads my 2003 stuff fine so no problem there. I have many tasks that have to be done in 2003 and so I have Excel and MS Access 2003 open most of the day and as far as opening either version at the same time it hasn't been a problem for me (should probably knock on wood for that).
What the dog says is probably correct about running a VPC but I don't want any part of that, I need every ounce of power I have for doing what needs to be done and since this is a work P.C. the resources are few.

[NeoPa]

@Denburt
Just to clarify Den, it is Outlook you meant to say rather than Access right?

[Denburt]

@Denburt
@NeoPa
Did I type MS Access? If I did then yes you are correct and thanks for the clarification.

But again that was just my experience...

[NeoPa]

:Confused:

You typed Outlook. I thought you may mean Access. I could guess which you meant to confirm, but that may just lead to further confusion (on my part at least).

[Denburt]

No I haven't had any problems with running two versions of MS Access even side by side (again knocking on wood). As an FYI when designing in 2007 on a 2003 database I get an occasional repetitive crash sometimes with no errors, so I open it in 2003 and I find I get more informative error messages.

It was Outlook that went funky when I installed or tried to install two versions. It was quite a nightmare so I really wouldn't recommend trying that.

[Denburt]

Upon rereading and just to further clarify if your running a VPC you should be able to have the option of using either version of Outlook or any of the other apps. I think the installed items could vary in any way you would like it would be just like havine two P.C.'s running in the same room but actually just using the one. But that again isn't something I know much about I think the Dog would know better than me.

[NeoPa]

Sorry for my confusion. That's crystal clear now.

[keglined]

Denburt,

THANK YOU!

"in earlier versions you can hold the shift key down . . . "

Man, this was driving me NUTS, and the solution was as simple as that. You have made my day.

:)