Open older version of database

[NISMOJim]

My office just converted to Access 2013 this week. Most of my databases created in Access 2007 seem to be doing ok except for opening very slowly, but I have one that uses Access 2003 on a card reader system. I copy this database nightly, and paste it on my computer. From there, my new database runs a macro to append transactions from the old database, and add them to an existing table in the new one. Once the data is in the new database, I can run my reports. Now when I try to run the macro, I get an error message that says Access can't open a database created in a previous version. Even trying to open the old database directly, I get the same message. If I can't open the database to convert it to 2013, what can I do?
Thank you for your help.

[ItsMe]

You can link to mdb files using 2013. You can open mdb files using 2010 or earlier. However, macro objects may or may not function correctly.

[NISMOJim]

I will try linking the tables later today to see how that works. However, since the transactions in the old db are archived each month, wouldn't I lose access to the previous months data in the new db?

[ItsMe]

The idea of linking vs. converting the mdb is that linking will preserve the db you link to.

For instance, I have a couple mdb files that act as backends where users that have everything from Access 2003 to 2013. What I would not allow to happen is for a user to open that mdb file directly from their machine. When I do maintenance on mdb files I will do it via linking. If I need to do so something to the mdb file that cannot be accomplished via linking, I will boot up and old XP box and open the file with Access 2003.

Having said that, I do not think I would try to create a new table in an mdb file with Access 2013. But, that may just be me and my crazy way of thinking.