Works: How to Restore Data From a Damaged Works Database (202588)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 3.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0b
  • Microsoft Works 4.5
  • Microsoft Works 4.5a
  • Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0
This article was previously published under Q202588

SUMMARY

This article describes how to recover data from a damaged Works database document.

Damaged Works documents can cause irregular behavior when Works attempts to interpret incorrect information in the file. To protect your documents, back up your files on a regular basis.

For information about backing up data with Microsoft Windows 95 and 98, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

133153 Microsoft Backup for Windows 95 Questions and Answers


136621 Description of Full, Incremental, and Differential Backups


You can use a third-party disk recovery utility or consult with a data recovery company to retrieve information from a damaged file. If neither of these options are available, you can use the methods outlined in this article to attempt to recover the damaged document.

MORE INFORMATION

To resolve this issue, use the following troubleshooting methods. After you complete each method, test to see if the issue is resolved. If the issue continues to occur, proceed to the next method.

Copy the Data Into a New Database

NOTE: When you copy your data into a new database, your data is preserved but formulas, field names, and reports are not saved.

  1. Open the damaged database.
  2. On the View menu, click List.
  3. Click the first cell in the first field, and then drag to select the entire database.
  4. On the Edit menu, click Copy.
  5. On the File menu, click New.
  6. If you are using Works 4.0 or later, click Database on the Works Tools tab. If you are using Works 3.x, click Database, and then click OK.
  7. If you are using Works 4.0 or later, click Add in the Create Database dialog box, and then click Done. If you are using Works 3.x, click List on the View menu.
  8. On the Edit menu, click Paste.
  9. If you receive the following error message, click Yes:
    The source data is larger than the selection. Add new fields to make it fit? Click Yes to add fields, click No to trim source to fit current selection, or click Cancel.
  10. On the File menu, click Save.
  11. In the File Name box, type a file name, and then click Save.

Save the File in the dBASE IV Format

NOTE: When you save your database file in the dBASE IV format, your data is preserved but formulas, field names, and reports are not saved.

  1. Open the damaged database.
  2. On the File menu, click Save As.
  3. In the File Name box, type a name for the new file.
  4. In the Save As Type or Save File As Type box, click dBASE IV.
  5. Click Save. If you receive the following message, click OK:
    You have chosen to save the document in dBASE file format. Some text has been truncated. Please check the original file for accuracy.
  6. On the File menu, click the dBASE IV file you just created.
  7. On the File menu, click Save As.
  8. In the File Name box, type a new file name.
  9. In the Save As Type or Save File As Type box, click Works DB, and then click Save.

For additional information about saving files in the dBASE IV format, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

146234 Works: Field Names Lost or Truncated When Saving as dBASE

96071 Works: Data Loss/Change When Saving a Database File as dBASE


Create Backup Copies When You Save Files

Microsoft Works for Windows versions 3.0 and later include a backup feature. When this feature is enabled, a back up copy of the previous version of your Microsoft Works file is created when you save changes to your current Microsoft Works file. This feature helps to protect against file damage.

By default, the backup feature is not enabled. To enable the backup feature for a Works file, follow these steps:
  1. On the File menu, click Save As.
  2. Click to select the Create Backup Copy or Create backup copy of old file check box.
  3. Click OK.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/15/2004
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbhowto KB202588
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.