ACC2: Interoperability Questions and Answers (114812)

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1. Q. How do I send Microsoft Access database objects to other software applications?
   
   A. There are three commands on the File menu and two toolbar buttons that send database objects to other applications.
   • The Export command exports data only from a table or query. To export the layout, use the Output To command.
   • The Print Definition command creates a report about an object's structure.
   • The Output To command exports data to a file, preserving the layout. You enter the output format and name of the file to create. To view the file, start the appropriate application.
   • The Publish It With MS Word and Analyze It With MS Excel buttons save the file to the current directory and start Microsoft Excel or Word. For information about adding these buttons to your toolbar, search for "customizing toolbars" then "Adding or Removing Buttons on Toolbars" using the Microsoft Access Help menu.
2. Q. How can Visual Basic access Microsoft Access version 2.0 databases?
   
   A. A mapping layer has been created so that Visual Basic version 3.0 can communicate with Microsoft Access 2.0 databases. This mapping layer works with both Microsoft Access version 1.1 and 2.0 databases. The mapping layer will be available in the Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit (ADT), and in the Microsoft Office Developer's Kit (ODK).
3. Q. Has the ability to use my Microsoft Access data in a Microsoft Word for Windows mail merge changed in version 2.0?
   
   A. Using Microsoft Access data for a Word for Windows mail merge is easier in version 2.0. The new Microsoft Word Mail Merge Wizard helps you create a dynamic data exchange (DDE) link between Microsoft Access and Microsoft Word version 6.0 for Windows. To use the Microsoft Word Mail Merge Wizard, use either of the following methods:
   • Select your table or query in the Database window, and then choose the Merge It button on the toolbar.
   • Create a new report based on your table or query. Choose the ReportWizards button, then choose Microsoft Word Mail Merge in the ReportWizards dialog box.
   
   For more information about using Microsoft Access data in a Word for Windows merge, search for "Word for Windows" then "Merging Microsoft Access Data with a Word for Windows Document" using the Microsoft Access Help menu.
4. Q. Do I need to change anything so that Microsoft Word version 6.0 for Windows or Microsoft Excel version 5.0 can use my Microsoft Access 2.0 databases?
   
   A. To use Microsoft Access version 2.0 databases with Word 6.0 for Windows and Microsoft Excel 5.0, you need the Microsoft Access 2.0 ODBC driver for Microsoft Office.
5. Q. How can I obtain the Oracle ODBC driver?
   
   A. Microsoft Access 2.0 supplies an ODBC driver for connecting to SQL Server, but does not supply a driver for connecting to ORACLE 6. Customer research showed that few people used the ORACLE driver that we shipped with Microsoft Access version 1.1. However, if you have the Microsoft Access 1.1 ORACLE driver, you can use it with your Microsoft Access 2.0 applications.
6. Q. How can I execute a stored procedure using an SQL pass- through query?
   
   A. You can use SQL pass-through queries to send commands directly to an ODBC database server (such as Microsoft SQL Server). You must send the commands using the syntax required by the particular server. With pass-through queries, you work directly with the tables on the remote server instead of attaching them.
   
   For an example of running a SQL Server stored procedure, order the fax or mail copy of this script.
   
   For example, to run the stored procedure sp_configure, which returns SQL Server configuration information, use the following steps:
   
   
   1. Create a new query.
   2. From the Query menu, choose SQL Specific, then choose Pass-Through.
   3. In the SQL Pass-Through Query window, type the following:

      sp_configure

   When you run the query, you will be prompted for the ODBC data source. The configuration information for the SQL Server will be returned.
   
   For more information about the syntax of SQL pass-through queries, please consult the documentation for your server.
7. Q. When I attach a SQL Server table, I cannot edit any of the data, although I have rights to edit the data. Why is this and how can I edit the data?
   
   A. When you attach any table with ODBC, the table must have a unique index before Microsoft Access can update the data. In Microsoft Access 2.0, you can create a temporary unique primary index on the attached table using a data definition query (DDL). This temporary index will not be created on the server, but will allow you to update the data in Microsoft Access. The following is a DDL query to create a temporary primary index:
   

   CREATE UNIQUE INDEX index1 On <tablename>(<uniqueIDfieldname>)

   
   For more information about DDL queries, search for "Data Definition" then "Data Definition Command" using the Microsoft Access Help menu.
8. Q. How do I link a Microsoft Access table to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet using dynamic data exchange (DDE)?
   
   A. The easiest way is to use DDE to create a paste link between Microsoft Access and Microsoft Excel. To do this, use the following steps:
   
   
   1. In the Microsoft Access Database window, select the table you want to link to Microsoft Excel.
   2. From the Microsoft Access Edit menu, choose Copy.
   3. From the Microsoft Excel Edit menu, choose Paste Special.
   4. Select the Paste Link option button, then select either Text (unformatted) or CSV (formatted). Choose OK.
   
   The Microsoft Excel formula resulting from the Paste Link command will be similar to:
   

   {=MSAccess|'<DATABASENAME>.MDB;Table <Tablename>'!All}

   
   For more information about linking Microsoft Access data to data in other applications, see the Microsoft Access "User's Guide," version 2.0, Chapter 19, "Using Pictures, Graphs, and Other Objects."
9. Q. Has dynamic data exchange (DDE) changed in Microsoft Access version 2.0?
   
   A. DDE functionality has not changed from Microsoft Access version 1.1 to 2.0. No new DDE commands were added.
   
   For additional DDE information and examples, see 89586.
   
   For more information about DDE, search for "DDE server" then view each of the topics using the Microsoft Access Help menu.