Using the Eagle Point External Node Database with More Recent Versions of Microsoft® Access

Beginning with the 1.4.0 version of Eagle Point Software, the External Node Data (END) information is now stored in a Microsoft® Access 97 (*.mdb) database format. Saving the END file in a more recent version of Access (e.g. Access 2000, 2002, XP, etc.) will render the file unusable by Eagle Point. When opening an Access 97 database directly with Access 2000 or later, the following alert message should display:

Selecting the Open Database option will allow the database to be used in more recent versions of Microsoft Access but will retain the integrity of the Access 97 file structure so it can continue to be used by the Eagle Point External Node Database.

In an effort to circumvent potential problems with saving the END file to a more recent version of Access, the following procedure (as taken from the Microsoft Access on-line help) for linking database tables is recommended:

Link tables from another Microsoft Access database

1. Open a database, or switch to the Database window for the open database.
2. To link tables, on the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Link Tables.
3. In the Link dialog box, in the Files Of Type box, make sure that Microsoft Access (*.mdb;*.adp;*.mdw;*.mda;*.mde;*.ade) is selected.
4. Click the arrow to the right of the Look In box, select the drive and folder where the Access database (.mdb) that you want to link is located, and then double-click the database's icon.

   Important   If you link to a file on a local area network, make to use a universal naming convention (UNC) path, instead of relying on the drive letter of a mapped network drive in Windows Explorer. A drive letter can vary on a computer or may not always be defined, whereas a UNC path is a reliable and consistent way for Microsoft Access to locate the data source that contains the linked table.

5. In the Link Tables dialog box, click each table that you want to link.

Notes

• If the database that you want to link has a database password, then you must provide the password before you can continue. Linking tables from such a database may have unforeseen consequences.
• If you link two tables from the same Access database, then any relationship that was established between the tables in the other database remains in effect.

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Last updated on 09/12/2001.

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