PRB: No Overwrite Alert When Exporting to Xbase File

Article ID: Q137935
Creation Date: 09-OCT-1995
Revision Date: 01-DEC-1996

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Access version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

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

When you export a table to a dBASE, Paradox, or FoxPro file, the table name is truncated to 8 characters with a 3-character extension. For example, a table called OrderDetails is changed to ORDERSDET.DEF when exported to a dBASE III file.

If a file of the same name already exists in the same folder, the older file is automatically overwritten by the exported table. You do not receive a warning message that the file will be overwritten.

CAUSE

Because dBASE, Paradox, and FoxPro files do not support long file names, the ISAM drivers in Microsoft Access 7.0 must truncate any table name longer than 8 characters.

RESOLUTION

Make sure that you specify a unique file name when you export the table object.

STATUS

This problem no longer occurs in Microsoft Access 97.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

 1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.

 2. In the Database window, click the Tables tab and select the Order
    Details table.

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

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

 5. In the "Save Table 'Order Details' in" dialog box, under Save As Type,
    select dBASE III (*.dbf), and then click Export. Note that a file
    named ORDER DE.DBF is created.

 6. Create a new, empty table and name it Order Details 2.

 7. Repeat steps 2-5 to export the Order Details 2 table to the same
    folder as ORDER DE.DBF.

 8. After exporting the Order Details 2 table, start Windows Explorer.

 9. Locate the folder that contains the ORDER DE.DBF file.

Open ORDER DE.DBF in an application that supports the *.DBF format.
    Note that the database is empty because the Order Details table was
    automatically overwritten with the Order Details 2 table.

Paradox and dBASE are manufactured by Borland International, Inc., a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

REFERENCES

For more information about exporting to an Xbase file, search on the phrase "export," and then view "Export to a table or query to a FoxPro, Paradox, or dBASE file" using the Answer Wizard from the Microsoft Access for Windows 95 Help menu.

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