ACC: Error "Couldn't Find Object" Exporting Query to dBASE

• Microsoft Access versions 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

When you try to export a query in dBASE (any version) file format, you may receive the error "Couldn't find object queryname.dbf." If you try to save the underlying table to dBASE format, you receive the error "Can't define a field more than once."

CAUSE

dBASE has a 10-character limit for the size of field names. When the first 10 characters of two (or more) fields in a Microsoft Access table are identical, trying to export the table or query results in duplicate field names.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, use one of the following approaches:

1. Rename the table fields so that the first 10 characters are unique for each field.

2. Alias the field names in a query. For example, in the query field row type: [NewField]:[OldDuplicateField]

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Create the following table:

         Table: Table1
         ------------------------
         Field Name: abcdefghijk
            Data Type : Text
         Field Name: abcdefghijkl
            Data Type : Text
   
   

2. Create a query based on Table1 that includes both fields.

3. On the File menu, click Save As/Export.

4. In the Save As dialog box, click "To an External File or Database," and then click OK.

5. Under Save As Type, select dBASE III (*.dbf), and then click Export. The error message "Couldn't find object Table1.dbf" appears.

REFERENCES

For more information about exporting to an Xbase file, type "FoxPro" in the Office Assistant, click Search, and then click to view "Export a table or query to a FoxPro, Paradox, or dBASE file".