Downward Compatability of Office 2000

[Karen]

Our company's main database is currently in Access 97. A
new computer that we received was loaded with Office
Professional 2000. Will we be able to run the database
and outlook on this computer? I have been told that I
have to uninstall Office 2000 and install Office 97 to
make these programs work. Any information would be
appreciated.

 

[SA]

Karen:

Access 97 formatted databases can not be opened "natively" in Access 2000.
Access 2000 will try to convert the database which will result in it not
being able to be opened in Access 97. If all your dbs are in Access 97,
then you can install Access 97 separately (and it will interact fine with
Outlook 2000). The best route as always is to install the earlier version
first and then the later version; however with A97, we've done installs
after Office 2000 and haven't had significant problems.

Steve Arbaugh
MS Access MVP