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

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ScottGem 68,840 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2016-09-08T09:08:22+00:00

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-07-14T19:46:16+00:00

    Those government agencies still distributing their data in *.dbf format probably contracted out the creation of the distribution method >15 years ago. 

    And probably have no plan or budget for replacing it.

    And it will take years until this issue comes to "critical mass" for those agencies and the people who are required to utilize the data.

    The wheels of government turn oh-so-slowly....

    As hard as this is to believe, it is more expedient to get Microsoft to admit they made (yet another) error and to FIX IT!!!

    SO while you may not be defending Microsoft; don't be surprised to see (folks like me) whining and complaining until Microsoft decides to FIX IT!!!

    After all Microsoft doesn't engrave things in stone ... or even CEMENT  ( CE, ME, NT ... HA!!)

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-07-15T12:25:06+00:00

    People, get off the focus of government being the only users (I have a POS system that uses them) and Excel doesn't do everything that people need to do (such as delete, compact and re-save the file) that is required when working with the Dbase files.

    In the mean time, I've had to find another piece of software that does the job.

    I just wish they had left it so we could still use Access, because it fit my requirements.  Now I use Access less often than I did.  I'm left to believe that Microsoft wants us using Access less often, when they remove features people used!

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-08-01T00:01:28+00:00

    No need to save as csv, just save as Excel workbook, then import directly into Access. Alternatively, if you have an earlier version of Access, import the dbf tables then save the database as .accdb. You can then work on it in Access 2013, but a nuisance if you need to update or add new dbf tables.

     

    Nothing excuses Microsoft for not consulting their customers ( I see that they have now updated Windows 8 under customer pressure to make it look like Windows 7 for business/serious users) and the absurdity that Access 2013 can read dbf files, but with no direct import option.

     

    Keep sticking it to MS through this and other forums!  

    Try the new Microsoft .WTF format.  I hear that works....  :)

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-09-08T18:20:43+00:00

    I am also waiting for a positive answer from them

    Microcosme

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