You receive "Can't update. Database or object is read-only" error message when you import or export files in Access 2000 (245407)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2000
This article was previously published under Q245407
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry


Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and to a Microsoft Access project (.adp).

SYMPTOMS

After you install the latest service pack for Microsoft Jet 4.0, when you import text files or try to export an Access object to text format, you may receive the following error message:
Can't update. Database or object is read-only.
When importing, this is followed by:
An error occurred trying to import file filename. The file was not imported.

CAUSE

The file that you are importing or that you are trying to export does not have a recognized file name extension.

RESOLUTION

Rename the file name extension so that it matches one of extensions listed in the "More Information" section later in this article.

-or-

Modify the following registry key to include the extension of the file that you are importing.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Jet\4.0\Engines\Text\DisabledExtensions

For additional information about setting this registry key see the More Information section of the following article, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

239471 Jet 4.0 Text IISAM Allows Users to Append Lines to System Files

MORE INFORMATION

For security reasons, the latest service pack for Jet (by default) allows only text files with the following extensions to be imported:
  • txt
  • csv
  • tab
  • asc
  • htm
  • html
If you try to import a text file or to export an Access object to text format with any other extension, you receive the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

  1. Install Microsoft Jet 4.0 Service Pack 3. For additional information about installing this service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    239114 How to obtain the latest service pack for the Microsoft Jet 4.0 Database Engine

  2. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Notepad.
  3. Type the following text:
       1,John,Doe
   2,John,Smith
   3,John,Jones
  4. Save the file as C:\Test.dat, and then close it.
  5. Start Microsoft Access 2000.
  6. Create a new database.
  7. On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Import.
  8. In the Files of type list, click Text Files (*.txt;*.csv;*.tab;*.asc).
  9. In the File name box, type C:\Test.dat, and then press ENTER.
  10. Click Finish. Note that you receive the following error message:
    Can't update. Database or object is read-only.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/28/2004
Keywords:kbExport kbImport kberrmsg kbprb KB245407 kbAudDeveloper
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