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# Can't Add Index to Read-Only Table

Article ID: 108891

Article Last Modified on 8/15/2003

APPLIES TO

- Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Query 2000

This article was previously published under Q108891

## SUMMARY

In Microsoft Query, creating an index in a read-only table results in one of the following error messages.
Microsoft Query version 1.0:
Permission Denied.
Microsoft Query version 2.0:
Can't modify the design of table '<table name>'.
It's a read-only database.
Microsoft Query version 8.0:
Can't modify the design of table '<table name>'.
It's in a read-only database.

## WORKAROUND

To create an index in a read-only file, remove the read-only attribute from the table.

## MORE INFORMATION

One purpose for creating an index in a table is to help Microsoft Query find values more quickly in fields that you search or sort often. Microsoft Query looks up the location of the data in the index field. An index cannot be created in a table that is protected with a read-only status. This behavior is by design. You cannot change files that have a read-only protection.

Additional query words: 7.0 97 read only indices Can t modify the design of table MSQuery

Keywords: kberrmsg KB108891