Access 2003 VBA Programmer's Reference

A.5. Converting a Replicated Database

First and foremost, start testing the process by using copies of the Design Master and replicas. Do not work with the real files until you have successfully completed the complete conversion process on the copies. Incorrectly converting and synchronizing the real files could compromise both the real data and the structure of the replica set. OK, it may not have been necessary to use that much emphasis to get the point across, because if you are working with replicas, you probably already know to use extreme caution. That being said, this section is going to focus on the steps to convert a replicated database with the premise that anyone attempting this will already be somewhat familiar with replications.

Let's get the other cautionary notes out of the way.

• When the Design Master is converted from Access 2000 to Access 2003 file format and then synchronized with other replicas, Access will convert the other replicas to the 2003 file format. At that point, Access 2000 will not be able to open them.

• Replica sets that contain partial replicas (databases with subsets of the full record set) should be synchronized before converting the files. Then, after converting the files, recreate the partial replicas. Synchronizing a 2003 Design Master with Access 2000 partial replicas might delete some database objects in the VBA project.

• When converting to 2003, all users of the replica set must have Access 2002 or 2003.

• When converting from Access 97 or earlier, ...