You receive an "Index Not Found" error message when you try to link or import a dBASE file in Access 2002 (287428)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2002
This article was previously published under Q287428
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and to a Microsoft Access project (.adp).

For a Microsoft Access 2000 version of this article, see 285949.

SYMPTOMS

When you try to import or link a dBASE file to a Microsoft Access 2002 database or project, you receive the following error message:
3015 Index not found.

RESOLUTION

For additional information about how you can resolve this issue by creating a registry key to bypass the Borland Database Engine (BDE) and assign the key a value of 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

307455 ACC2002: How to Control Whether Access Loads the Borland Data Engine (BDE)

Although setting this key to a value of 2 allows you to successfully link the dBASE file, this setting can also cause dBASE tables to be linked as read-only.

MORE INFORMATION

When you try to link a dBASE file, the only time that you receive the Select Index Files dialog box in Access 2002 is if the Borland Database Engine (BDE) is installed on the computer. If the BDE is installed, there will be a registry key on your system, and Access 2002 will use and maintain the indexes by means of the BDE. (Linked dBASE tables will be read-only if you do not have the BDE installed on the computer.)

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

In order to reproduce this behavior, you must have the Borland Database Engine (BDE) installed on the computer that you are using.
  1. Open any Access 2002 database.
  2. On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Link Tables.
  3. In the Link dialog box, click the arrow to the right of the Look In box, and then locate the folder where your .dbf file is located.
  4. In the Files of type box, select the appropriate dBASE file version, click your .dbf file, and then click Link.

    Note that the Select Index Files dialog box appears. If there is no associated index file (*.mdx) for the dBASE file, you must click Cancel to exit from this dialog box. However, if you click Cancel, you receive the error that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this article, and you cannot link the .dbf file.

REFERENCES

For more information about how to link or import a dBASE file, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type import or link dbase files in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/11/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB287428
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