ACC97: Specification Error When Refreshing Link to Text File

• Microsoft Access 97

SYMPTOMS

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

When you create a link to a text file from Microsoft Access 97 and then move the text file to another folder, you may receive the following error message when you try to use the Linked Table Manager to refresh the link:

   The text file specification '<text filename>' does not exist. You can't
   import, export, or link using the specification.

CAUSE

A specification is created when you create a link to a text file. If you quit Microsoft Access, move the text file to another folder, and then restart Microsoft Access, the specification no longer works because the path to the text file has changed.

RESOLUTION

Remove the link to the text file. Then, recreate the link to the text file in its new location.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb and select the Customers table.

2. On the File menu, click Save As/Export.

3. In the Save As dialog box, click to select "To an External File or Database," and then click OK.

4. In the "Save Table 'Customers' In" dialog box, select Text Files in the Save As Type box.

5. In the File Name text box, type "C:\My Documents\Customers.txt" (without the quotation marks), and then click Export.

6. When the Export Text Wizard appears, click Finish, and then click OK.

7. On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Link Tables.

8. In the Link dialog box, select Text Files in the Files Of Type box.

9. Locate the folder C:\My Documents, select Customers.txt, and then click Link.

10. On the first three screens of the Link Text Wizard, click Next.

11. On the last screen of the Link Text Wizard, type CustomersLinked in the Linked Table Name box, and then click Finish.

12. When you receive the message that Microsoft Access has finished linking, click OK.

13. Quit Microsoft Access.

14. Open Windows Explorer and move C:\My Documents\Customers.txt to another folder.

15. Start Microsoft Access and open the sample database Northwind.mdb.

16. On the Tools menu, point to Add-Ins, and then click Linked Table Manager.

17. In the Linked Table Manager dialog box, click to select the CustomersLinked and the "Always Prompt for New Location" check boxes, and then click OK.

18. In the "Select New Location of CustomersLinked" dialog box, locate Customers.txt in its new location, and then click Open.

    Note that you receive the following error:

    The text file specification 'Customers Link Specification' does not exist. You can't import, export, or link using the specification.

REFERENCES