ACC: 16-bit OLE Controls Not Supported in MS Access 95/97

• Microsoft Access 7.0, 97
• Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit version 7.0
• Microsoft Office 97, Developer Edition

SUMMARY

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

When you convert a Microsoft Access version 2.0 database to a Microsoft Access 7.0 or Microsoft Access 97 database, you may receive one of the following error messages if your database contains an ActiveX control.

   In Microsoft Access 97, when you open a form that contains a 16-bit
   control:

      There is no object in this control.

   In Microsoft Access 7.0, when you convert your database:

      One or more forms or reports contains a 16-bit OLE Custom Control
      with no 32-bit equivalent. These controls will not function properly
      under Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows NT.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Access version 2.0 supports 16-bit OLE controls whereas Microsoft Access 7.0 and 97 support 32-bit OLE controls. When you convert a database that uses 16-bit OLE controls designed for Microsoft Access 2.0, Microsoft Access 97 does not convert those controls to their new 32-bit equivalents. You must manually insert an equivalent 32-bit ActiveX control and recreate its event procedures after you convert the database.

In Microsoft Access 7.0, when you convert a database that uses a 16-bit OLE control to a version 7.0 database, Microsoft Access can automatically update the control to its 32-bit version if a 32-bit version exists and is registered on your computer. If you do not have a 32-bit version of a 16-bit control, then Microsoft Access generates the error message.

You can update a 16-bit OLE control by installing its 32-bit version and by registering it in the Windows Registry. Then, you can open the converted Microsoft Access 7.0 or 97 database, save any forms or reports containing the control, and then close and reopen the database.

You should contact the manufacturer of a 16-bit OLE control to see if a 32-bit version is available. The Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit version 2.0 includes three 16-bit OLE controls: Calendar, Data Outline, and Scroll Bar. Microsoft Access 7.0 and 97 include a 32-bit version of the Calendar control. The Microsoft Access 7.0 Developer's Toolkit version 7.0 includes a 32-bit version of the Data Outline control. The Scroll Bar control has no 32-bit version. However, you can replace the 16-bit Scroll Bar control with the 32-bit Slider Control (included with the Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit for Windows 95 and the Microsoft Office 97, Developer Edition Tools) to provide similar functionality.

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