I just purchased Microsoft Access Data Base as a stand alone product directly from Microsoft to install on my new Dell computer (Windows 8.1).  I did this so that I could access Microsoft Works Database (Version 9.0) files I've transferred from my old computer.  Now I find that Access won't open these files.  How can I remedy this situation?

Hi,

Assuming you still have your old computer with MS Works. Open the database there, export the data in a different format (e.g. CSV), create a new database in Access on your new computer, and import the data.

Hi jcninos,

Which version of Access did you purchase? Access 2010 or Access 2013.

I agree with Kjetil, we can not open Microsoft Works Database (Version 9.0) directly with Access. We need to save the database as a CSV format, open it in Excel and save as Excel workbook. Open the Excel workbook in Access and save it.

Reference:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/officeversion_other-office_other/converting-works-9-wdb-to-access/0486c4dc-acf6-433e-abba-33fba7b6fe7f

Regards,

George Zhao
TechNet Community Support