Access 2013 - Cannot open a database created with a previous version of your application

Question

I have an Access database created more than 10 yrs back.

I have very important data in it & I think it can be opened in Access 2007 or earlier version. Currentl

Answer 1

For a '97 Database...

1. Open the Access 97 database in Access 2003.
2. On the Tools menu, click Database Utilities, click Convert Database, and then click to Access 2002-2003 file format.
3. Enter a name for the database, and then click Save.
4. Exit Access 2003.
5. Open the database in Access 2013.
6. On the File tab, click Save As, select Access Database (*.accdb), and then click Save As. In the Save As dialog box, click Save.

All other versions:

To convert an Access 2000 or Access 2002 - 2003 database (.mdb) to the .accdb file format, you must first open the database by using Access 2007, Access 2010, or Access 2013, and then save it in the .accdb file format.

1. Click File, and then click Open.

2. Click the Access 2000 or Access 2002 - 2003 database (.mdb) that you want to convert.

   NOTE If the Database Enhancement dialog box appears, the database is using a file format that is earlier than Access 2000. To continue, see the section Convert an Access 97 database to the .accdb format.

3. Click File, click Save As, and then click Save Database As.

4. Choose the Access file type, and then click Save As.

If any database objects are open when you click Save As, Access prompts you to close them prior to creating the copy. Click Yes to make Access close the objects, or click No to cancel the entire process. If needed, Access will also prompt you to save any changes.

1. In the Save As dialog box, type a file name in the File name box, and then click Save.

Access creates the copy of the database, and then opens the copy. Access automatically closes the original database.

Right from MS Office Documentation