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  1. #1
    ajetrumpet is offline VIP
    Windows Vista Access 2007
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    "Unrecognized Database Format" After Using 2010

    I have figured out why this happening, at least to me. Any data macro that is created in a database using version 2010 will automatically result in the above error message if you subsequently try to open it using a pre-2010 version.

    To validate this, I took the Northwind example and performed the following steps:

    • Opened it in 2007 to ensure it worked.
    • Opened it in 2010 and created an "After Insert" data macro in a table.
    • (Did not make the data macro event fire)
    • Opened it again in 2007
    • "Unrecognized Database Format" Error Appeared


    So there you have it. That's at least one problem with 2010. Additionally, deleting data macros does not help. Apparently, as soon as a data macro is saved and initialized, it creates an internal structure of somekind that pre-2010 versions of Access are unable to recognize.

    Problem #2

    Make sure you're not trying to open of the new "web" databases. I have also experimented with these, and none of them that I have will open in pre-2010 versions either. Apparently the cause is again a compatibility issue with internal structure. This is a more understandable issue though, given the fact that web databases are meant to operate on the "web".

  2. #2
    HiTechCoach's Avatar
    HiTechCoach is offline MS MVP - Access Expert
    Windows 7 Access 2010 (version 14.0)
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    Note: The only re-2010 version that will open a accdb/accde is only Access 2007. Thsi issue is only with the new ACE database engine and the .accdb/.accde format

    If you create any of the Access 2010 only feature in a database it is flag as that Access 2007 will not open it. Even it you delete the feature to make it compatible with 2007 the flag is not reset.

    To make a 2010 database compatible with Access 2007 again you can use the following step:

    1) make a copy of your database.
    2) using the new copy, delete all the Access 2010 only features.
    3) create a new blank ACE (.accdb) database.
    4) import all the object from the .accdb that you "cleaned up" in step 2.

    Now you should be able to open the new database database with Access 2007.

  3. #3
    HiTechCoach's Avatar
    HiTechCoach is offline MS MVP - Access Expert
    Windows 7 Access 2010 (version 14.0)
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  4. #4
    HiTechCoach's Avatar
    HiTechCoach is offline MS MVP - Access Expert
    Windows 7 Access 2010 (version 14.0)
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  5. #5
    ajetrumpet is offline VIP
    Windows Vista Access 2007
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    well now, very nice. Unbelievable...

    Those pages can be used in place of my original post...

Please reply to this thread with any new information or opinions.

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