ACC97: "Can't Update. Database or Object Is Read-only" Error Message When You Import Files

ID: Q247861

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Access 97
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

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


SYMPTOMS

After you install the latest service pack for Microsoft Jet 3.5, when you import text files, you may receive the following error message:

Can't update. Database or object is read-only.
This is followed by:
An error occurred trying to import file filename. The file was not imported.


CAUSE

The file that you are importing does not have a recognized file name extension.


RESOLUTION

Rename the file name extension so that it matches one of extensions listed in the "More Information" section later in this article.

-or-

Modify the following registry key to include the extension of the file that you are importing.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Jet\3.5\Engines\Text\DisabledExtensions


MORE INFORMATION

For security reasons, the latest service pack for Jet (by default) allows only text files with the following extensions to be imported:

  • txt
  • csv
  • tab
  • asc
  • htm
  • html
If you try to import a text file with any other extension, you will receive the error message mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. Install Microsoft Jet 3.5 Service Pack 3.


    2. For additional information about installing this service pack, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
    Q172733 Updated Version of Microsoft Jet 3.5 Available for Download
  2. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Notepad.


  3. Type the following text:


    4. 
   1,John,Doe
   2,John,Smith
   3,John,Jones
  4. Save the file as C:\Test.dat, and then close it.


  5. Start Microsoft Access 97.


  6. Create a new database.


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


  8. In the Files of type list, click Text Files (*.txt;*.csv;*.tab;*.asc).


  9. In the File name box, type C:\Test.dat, and then press ENTER.


  10. Click Finish. Note that you receive the following error message:


    11. Can't update. Database or object is read-only.


REFERENCES

For additional information about the updated version of Jet, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q239105 Jet 3.5 Text ISAM Allows Users to Append Lines to System Files

Additional query words: prb

Keywords : kberrmsg kbdta
Version : WINDOWS:97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: December 8, 1999
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