ACC: TransferSpreadsheet Action Does Not Add File Extension

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0

SYMPTOMS

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

The TransferSpreadsheet action requires a file type and file name to export data to a spreadsheet. The file name tells Microsoft Access what to name the spreadsheet file that will hold the exported data. If you do not specify an extension in this file name, Microsoft Access will not add the appropriate extension for the file format to which you are exporting.

RESOLUTION

By not automatically writing a file extension, you are able to specify any extension you like (for example, .EXE, .DAT, and .INI).

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access versions 1.x and 2.0. This problem no longer occurs in Microsoft Access for Windows 95 version 7.0. In Microsoft Access 7.0, when you choose a specific file type, Microsoft Access automatically adds the file extension for you.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Create a table called Table1 and add some fields and example data.

2. Create the following macro:

         Macro Name      Action
         -----------------------------------
         Transfer It     TransferSpreadsheet
   
         Transfer It Actions
         ------------------------------------
         TransferSpreadsheet
            Transfer Type: Export
            Spreadsheet Type: Microsoft Excel
            Table Name: Table1
            File Name: TestIt
            Has Field Names: No
   
   

3. Run the macro.

REFERENCES

Microsoft Access "User's Guide", version 2.0, page 191

Microsoft Access "Language Reference," version 1.0, pages 476-479