Access 97 empty database file

[Pinco Pallo]

Where can I download an empty access 97 database? I need such a file in order to export data from an old software that needs an existing mdb file.

[Patrick Finucane]

On Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 4:01:52 AM UTC-5, Pinco Pallo wrote:
> Where can I download an empty access 97 database? I need such a file in order to export data from an old software that needs an existing mdb file.

Open up and create a new database

[Pinco Pallo]

If I had an access 97 installation, sure I didn't ask. I have Access 2003 that is incompatible with 97.

[Dave W]

I have both Access 2003 and 97. I see that 2003 has no facility for
saving as 97, although it can convert from 97 to 2003. Your old
software surely must require a particular table structure to export
to, not just any old mdb file?
--
Dave W

[Steve Hayes]

On Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:48:50 -0800 (PST), Patrick Finucane
<patrickf...@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 4:01:52 AM UTC-5, Pinco Pallo wrote:
>> Where can I download an empty access 97 database? I need such a file in order to export data from an old software that needs an existing
>

>Open up and create a new database

What I'd like to know is how to empty an existing Access database.

I create a database, enter some data to test it, then, when I'm happy
that it's workling the way I want it to, I want to empty the test data
and begin using it for real data.

It was easy to empty tables in Paradox, but I can't find how to do it
in Access.


--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

[Patrick Finucane]

Well, you could create a new database. Then select File/GetExternalData for 2003- or select ExternalData from the ribbon 2007+ and select the Access icon. Select the file to import from, select import tables, press OK, then select all of the tables, press the Options button, and select Structure ONly.

[Ron Weiner]

Pinco Pallo brought next idea :

> Where can I download an empty access 97 database? I need such a file in order
> to export data from an old software that needs an existing mdb file.

I do not know where you might be able to download an empty Access 97
databse, but I think you may be able to programmatically create one
without using Access. I have an app that does the routinely abet
creating them in an Access 2000 format.

Check out this link:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/JET_Database/Creating_and_connecting
and:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3455700/creating-access-97-format-database

Even after you do create a mdb that is of the Access 97 vintage, you
will also have to create all of the objects that your legacy
application expects will be there (Tables, queries, etc). This is also
possible but a little tedious. Again my old app does this routinely,

Good luck with your project.

Rdub

[Steve Hayes]

On Wed, 25 Feb 2015 06:19:21 -0800 (PST), Patrick Finucane

An "Empty Tables" function would be so much simpler.

[Larry Linson]

On Thu, 26 Feb 2015 05:15:03 +0200, Steve Hayes
<haye...@telkomsa.net> wrote:

> An "Empty Tables" function would be so much simpler.

My daughter says about things she doesn't necessarily like but that
are not likely to be changed, "It is what it is." In 20+ years,
Microsoft has not seen the need for an "Empty Tables" function, and I
wouldn't bet money that they ever will.

Even individual apps benefit from a front-end (user interface) and
back-end (tables and data) approach. If you keep on top of every
change you make in the table structure/specifications and update your
copy, you can just copy the empty back-end that you use to start your
testing.

Importing the tables without data is about as simple as I could want,
it seems to me.

It's quite a bit easier than creating a Delete Query for all fields in
each table.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP 2003 - 2014

[Steve Hayes]

And recreating all forms, queries, reports, from scratch?

[Patrick Finucane]

Here's a routine...untested.
Public Sub EmptyAllTables()
Dim d As Database
Dim t As TableDef
Dim s As String

Set d = CurrentDb
For Each t In d.TableDefs
If Left(t.Name, 4) <> "Msys" Then
s = "DELETE " & t.Name & ".* From " & t.Name
d.Execute s
End If
Next
d.Close
Set d = Nothing
End Sub

[Joan Wild]

You could go to
http://access.mvps.org/access/resources/downloads.htm
Pick any of the 97 sample files - download and empty it.

[Joan Wild]

Steve Hayes wrote:


>
> And recreating all forms, queries, reports, from scratch?

You can also import all the queries, forms, reports, macros and modules
using the same method.

[Larry Linson]

On Thu, 26 Feb 2015 11:06:59 +0200, Steve Hayes
<haye...@telkomsa.net> wrote:

>And recreating all forms, queries, reports, from scratch?

Only a masochist would even consider doing so... three easy ways:

1. Copy the DB file, delete the tables from the copy, and import the
tables sans data from the original.

2. As Joan said, import not only the tables without data, but all the
other objects, too.

3. As I said earlier, use the Front End - Back End approach, create a
new database and import the tables, then use method 1 or 2 above to
create the front end, and link the tables from the newly created
database with the empty tables.

In earlier days, I might have said, it's worth buying a beginner book
and reading it before launching off into using Access, but there've
been so many changes to publishing, disseminating information, and
such that it wouldn't be applicable to say so now. Back then, I might
have recommended going to your local bookstore and thumbing through
the beginner books. One I liked back then, was "Microsoft Access Step
by Step", but I haven't looked at it for quite a number of versions;
still, it'd be worth a look if you are near a bookstore with computer
books.

Larry