ACC: Index Missing for Attached FoxPro or dBASE Table

• Microsoft Access versions 2.0, 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

When you open a linked (attached) dBASE or FoxPro table in Design view, the table's index is missing even though you specified an index when you linked the table.

RESOLUTION

When you link a dBASE or FoxPro table, make sure that the index you specify is based on a single field or a simple concatenation of multiple text fields. An index based on a more complex expression may not be visible in Microsoft Access.

MORE INFORMATION

A dBASE or FoxPro index based on a complex expression (anything other than a single field or a simple concatenation of text fields) may cause the Microsoft Jet database engine used in Microsoft Access to form incorrect joins because of incorrect assumptions about the order of the keys. For example, an index based on "string1 + function(string2)" may appear to the Microsoft Jet database engine to be based on "string1, string2." The Microsoft Jet database engine will not use such indexes, and will not display them in the Indexes window.

The indexed sequential access method (ISAM) driver used by Microsoft Access will, however, attempt to maintain an associated dBASE or FoxPro index while the ISAM is updating the dBASE or FoxPro table even though the index is not visible in Microsoft Access.

dBASE is manufactured by Borland International, Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

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