Access 2013 - Dbase (.dbf) Table Import option

Anonymous
2013-02-03T16:16:55+00:00

I need to be able to import read/write Dbase dbf tables - yes they are still around so why has the standard option that was in Access 2010 gone?

I have seen mention of ISAM, which is gobbledegook to me. So please a simple answer - what do I need to install or change and how do I do it?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
ScottGem 68,840 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2016-09-08T09:08:22+00:00

Was this answer helpful?

60+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

158 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.


    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  2. ScottGem 68,840 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2015-04-17T19:59:23+00:00

    I am 100% in agreement with you.. after Microsoft monopolized the industry of dbase, they are try to forces us to pay for the expensive useless service

    How did Microsoft monopolize the industry of dbase? If Ashton-Tate couldn't maintain the quality of the dBase application why is that Microsoft's fault? 

    What "expensive useless service" is Microsoft forcing anyone to pay for? 

    Microsoft has made mistakes int he past and will continue to do so. I'm not happy about dropping support for dbf files. But I also don't like people making ridiculous statements like the above!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. George Hepworth 23,120 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2015-04-17T19:11:50+00:00

    I am 100% in agreement with you.. after Microsoft monopolized the industry of dbase, they are try to forces us to pay for the expensive useless service

    If a service is truly "useless" why would anyone actual pay for it?

    Or, if it is NOT truly "useless", then how much would anyone actually be willing to pay?

    Moreover, it is my understanding that the dBase products are NOT available from Microsoft, but rather from companies like this one. 

    Of course, if we are talking about the ability to connect from Access 2013 to .dbf files, then, yes, Microsoft pulled back from that support. However, to my way of thinking, that's quite a different proposition.

    Look, there are at least three ways to deal with this problem, and probably more.

    One is to continue to use the 2010 version of Access. It works as it always has.

    Another is to use the alternative method of importing the data into Excel first. That also continues to work.

    And still another is to do something like Broggy69 did and create your own solution.

    It's a PITA, but it's not the end of the world.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-04-17T18:49:29+00:00

    I am 100% in agreement with you.. after Microsoft monopolized the industry of dbase, they are try to forces us to pay for the expensive useless service

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments