You cannot connect directly to FoxPro databases in Access 2003 (824264)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office Access 2003
This article applies only to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb).

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.
For a Microsoft Access 2002 version of this article, see 286224.
For a Microsoft Access 2000 version of this article, see 225861.

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Office Access 2003, you may not be able to import, export, or link to Microsoft FoxPro databases directly because the Import, Export, and Link dialog boxes do not include the FoxPro database as an option in the Files of type list.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the Microsoft FoxPro ISAM driver is not included in Access 2003.

RESOLUTION

Import from a FoxPro Database

To import data from a FoxPro database, use the Microsoft Visual FoxPro ODBC driver. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. In Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools.
  3. In the Administrative Tools window, double-click Data Sources (ODBC), and then add a new ODBC data source for your FoxPro database or tables by selecting the appropriate Visual FoxPro driver.
  4. Start Access 2003, and then open your Access database.
  5. On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Import.
  6. In the Import dialog box, click ODBC Databases in the Files of type list.
  7. In the Select Data Source dialog box, click the Visual FoxPro data source that you created in step 3, and then click OK.
  8. In the Import Objects dialog box, click the tables that you want to import, and then click OK.

Link to a FoxPro Database

To link to a FoxPro database, use the Microsoft Visual FoxPro ODBC driver. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. In Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools.
  3. In the Administrative Tools window, double-click Data Sources (ODBC), and then add a new ODBC data source for your FoxPro database or tables by selecting the appropriate Visual FoxPro driver.
  4. Start Microsoft Access, and then open your Access database.
  5. On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Link Tables.
  6. In the Link dialog box, click ODBC Databases in the Files of type list.
  7. In the Select Data Source dialog box, click the Visual FoxPro data source that you created in step 3, and then click OK.
  8. In the Link Tables dialog box, click the tables that you want to import, and then click OK.

Export to a FoxPro Database

To export data to a FoxPro database, use the Microsoft Visual FoxPro ODBC driver. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. In Control Panel, double-click Administrative Tools.
  3. In the Administrative Tools window, double-click Data Sources (ODBC), and then add a new ODBC data source for your FoxPro database or tables by selecting the appropriate Visual FoxPro driver.
  4. Start Microsoft Access, and then open your Access database.
  5. On the File menu, click Export.
  6. In the Export Table '<tablename>' To... dialog box, click ODBC Databases in the Save as type list.
  7. In the Export dialog box, type the name of the new table, and then click OK.
  8. In the Select Data Source dialog box, click the Visual FoxPro data source that you created in step 3, and then click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

In earlier versions of Access and the Microsoft Jet database engine, you can move data between FoxPro databases and Access databases. The Microsoft FoxPro ISAM driver connects Access to FoxPro databases. However, the Microsoft FoxPro ISAM driver is not included in Access 2000 and later. As a result, you can no longer access FoxPro data through the Microsoft Jet database engine. You can only access FoxPro data by using the Microsoft Visual FoxPro ODBC driver.

Steps to Reproduce the Problem

  1. Open an Access database.
  2. On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Import.
  3. In the Import dialog box, click the Files of type list.
Note The Microsoft FoxPro ISAM driver is not listed in the Files of type list.

REFERENCES

For more information about how to set up ODBC data sources, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type set up or change ODBC data sources in the Search for box in the Assistance pane, and then click Start searching to view the topic.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/23/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbDriver kbImport kbExport kbprb KB824264 kbAudDeveloper
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