ACC: Empty Table List When Attaching Btrieve Table

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0

SYMPTOMS

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

When you attach a Btrieve table, you select the Xtrieve dictionary file (FILE.DDF) in the Select File box. When you choose OK, Microsoft Access opens the dictionary file and displays a list of tables you can import or attach. However, the list is empty. In Microsoft Access version 2.0, you may receive the error message:

   Btrieve: Can't find file FIELD.DDF

CAUSE

You do not have the FIELD.DDF file that Microsoft Access requires to attach a Btrieve table.

RESOLUTION

Microsoft Access requires the following three .DDF files in order to attach a Btrieve table: FILE.DDF, INDEX.DDF, and FIELD.DDF. Make sure that you have all three .DDF files before you try to attach a Btrieve table.

MORE INFORMATION

When Microsoft Access cannot find the FIELD.DDF file, it creates a 6144-byte dummy FIELD.DDF file in the same directory in which FILE.DDF appears. If you find this dummy file, you know that you are missing the required FIELD.DDF file. Use Xtrieve or another third-party utility to create the required .DDF files.

Btrieve and Xtrieve are manufactured by Pervasive Software, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.