MOS 2013 Study Guide for Microsoft Access

14 Chapter 1 Create and manage databases
Using earlier Access ile formats
When you create a desktop database—either a blank database or a database based on
one of the default Access templates—the ile uses the .accdb ile format. This format is
compatible with Access 2007, Access 2010, and Access 2013, but it can’t be read by earlier
versions of Access.
If members of your organization, department, or workgroup use an earlier version of
Access—Access 2000, Access 2002, or Access 2003—you can change the ile format in
which Access creates new databases by default. By changing the default format to the
Access 2000 format or the Access 2002-2003 format (these formats use the ile name
extension .mdb), you can more easily share the iles with those members. You control the
ile format by adjusting a setting in the Creating Databases area on the General page in
the Access Options dialog box.
Tip You can also convert a database by saving it in a format that is compatible with
earlier versions of Access. For more information, see the “Using the Save Database As
options” topic in section 1.5, “Print and export databases.”
➤ To change the default ile format
1. Click the File tab, and then click Options.
2. In the Access Options dialog box, click General.
3. In the Creating databases area, in the Default ile format for Blank Database box,
select the ile format you want as the default, and then click OK.