Access 2003 VBA Programmer's Reference

A.6. Enabling a Database

As mentioned at the beginning of this appendix, Access 2003 can open databases in prior versions of Access by either enabling or converting the database. If the database created in Access 97 or earlier is opened by Access 2003, the Convert/Open Database window will appear, see Figure A-3. This window clearly states the effects of each option. The Convert/Open Database dialog box appears each time an earlier version database is opened. So, if down the road, converting becomes the desired avenue, it is only a click away.

Enabling allows a user with Access 2003 to open a database created in an earlier version of Access without converting the file to the Access 2003 file format. The 2003 user will be able to add, delete, and modify records and to view database objects, but they will not be able to modify database objects or add new objects. Enabling is quite beneficial if there are users who have still not upgraded to Access 2003. It allows the same application file to be shared by multiple versions of Access.

There are some logical limitations when working with an enabled database. Considering that databases are not forward compatible, it makes sense that you cannot link or import an Access 2003 table to an enabled database. (Obviously the enabled database is in an earlier format or it wouldn't need to be enabled.) However, you can open a 2003 database and export the tables to a prior-version database. You can also move or copy data from a 2003 table and ...