ACC: How to Edit Library Databases (1.x/2.0)

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0

SUMMARY

Advanced: Requires expert coding, interoperability, and multiuser skills.

This article describes two methods for editing Microsoft Access library databases using Microsoft Access versions 1.x and 2.0.

A library database is a database that contains a collection of database objects that can be loaded automatically when you start Microsoft Access. You specify that a database is to be loaded by adding its name to the [Libraries] section of the MSACCESS.INI (version 1.x) or MSACC20.INI (version 2.0) file, or by installing it using the Add-in Manager (version 2.0). Library database files usually have .MDA extensions.

Because library databases are loaded when Microsoft Access starts, you cannot open them directly for editing. If you try to do so, you will receive an error message similar to:

   The database 'c:\access\filename.mda' is already open as a library
   database

MORE INFORMATION

NOTE: You should back up library database files before you modify them.

Method 1

NOTE: This method applies only to Microsoft Access version 2.0.

1. While Microsoft Access is not running, open the MSACC20.INI file located in your Windows directory with any text editor (such as Windows Notepad).

2. Add the line "DebugLibraries=True" (without quotation marks) to the [Options] section of the file. The section will look like:

          [Options]
          Systemdb=c:\Access\SYSTEM.MDA
          UtilityDB= c:\Access\Utility.MDA
          DebugLibraries=True
   

3. Save and then close the file.

4. Start Microsoft Access.

5. Open any database.

6. Open any module.

7. From the View menu, choose Procedures.

8. In the Databases box, select the library that you want to edit.

Method 2

1. While Microsoft Access is not running, open the MSACCESS.INI (version 1.x) or MSACC20.INI (version 2.0) file in your Windows directory in any text editor (such as Windows Notepad).

2. Locate the entry for the library file that you want to edit. The entry will be similar to:

         Wzlib.mda=rw
   

3. Comment the line out by adding a semicolon (;) at the beginning of the line. The entry should be similar to:

         ;Wzlib.mda=rw
   

4. Save and then close the .INI file.

5. Start Microsoft Access.

6. From the File menu, choose Open Database.

7. Select the library you want to open. Note that by default, the Open Database dialog box only displays files with .MDB extensions. Either type the name of the library you want to open, or type "*.MDA" (without quotation marks) in the File Name box to display files with .MDA extensions.

REFERENCES