Microsoft KB Archive/323642

= You receive a &quot;You Can't Make Changes to the Database Objects...&quot; error message when you open or edit a database =

Article ID: 323642

Article Last Modified on 8/11/2004

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Access 2002 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q323642



Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

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



SYMPTOMS
When you open a database that was created in Microsoft Access 97 or earlier in Microsoft Access 2002, you receive the following message. You also receive this message when you open an object in this database in Design view.

You can't make changes to the database objects in the database ' '.

This database was created in an earlier version of Microsoft Access.

To convert this database to the current version of Microsoft Access, close the database, point to Database Utilities on the Tools menu, and then click Convert Database.



CAUSE
The database was created in an earlier version of Microsoft Access.



RESOLUTION
Convert the database to the current file format. To do so, follow these steps.

NOTE: After you convert the database to the Access 2002 file format, you cannot open the database in Access 2000 or earlier anymore.
 * 1) Close the database if it is open but leave Microsoft Access 2002 open.
 * 2) On the Tools menu, point to Database Utilities, point to Convert Database, and then click To Access 2002 File Format.
 * 3) In the Database to Convert From dialog box, locate and click the database, and then click Convert.
 * 4) In the Convert Database Into dialog box, type a unique name for the converted database in the File name box, and then click Save.
 * 5) Open the converted database.



Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

 * 1) In Microsoft Access 97, create a database that has at least one form.
 * 2) Open the database in Microsoft Access 2002. When you are prompted, click the Open Database option. Do not convert the database.

