Viewing data in Microsoft Access

[picks]

Is there a way to view Powerchurch data files in microsoft access ? (If not, can the data be exported out from powerchurch, and then imported back into access?) Also, what is the internal database that is used for Powerchurch data files ?
Thanks.

[NeilZ]

Is there a way to view Powerchurch data files in microsoft access ? (If not, can the data be exported out from powerchurch, and then imported back into access?) Also, what is the internal database that is used for Powerchurch data files ?
Thanks.

You can export into a number of different formats, but not directly into an Access database format. You can find a Foxpro ODBC driver at the Microsoft MS Office support site that you can use to access the database, however, it will probably be read only.

As mentioned in the other topic you started under membership, you can't import personal profile data into Powerchurch, only Family Mailing List data.

Why do you need to export to Access for data manipulation??

[megs]

I'm not sure why NeilZ needs to export, but personally, I would like to export for the extra functionality that access gives me as far as advanced reports. Don't get me wrong, I like the report capabilities built into powerchurch, but there are many things that just can't be done, and there is absolutely no help provided for custom report forms (I know you sell this seperately, but I really think it should be included in the purchase price). Some fields that I need to include just are not available in custom reports, and there's no way to cross reference between modules. Access is just more powerful. I downloaded driver as suggested but it still is not working to import, maybe because I'm using office 2007? Powerchurch seems to be using some outdated file formats for exports etc.

[Zaphod]

If you're using Access, you don't need to export anything. Use the FoxPro ODBC driver from Microsoft to access the DBF files directly. You can either link or import the tables in Access.

Please, please, PLEASE view the data read only. You can really break stuff by writing to the data files externally.

There are about 70 pages of information on the custom reports available in the manual - but they're way at the back. There are also several samples on the website to give you a jumping off point. The custom report tutorial we sell goes into MUCH greater detail.

[megs]

OK, so I take back the statement about there being no help available - I had looked at the help files within the program, which did not have any info about report editing, but a look into the manual proved that there was some help available (although there are still a bunch of variables and functions that are not explained). Not having any luck with that ODBC driver though - does anyone happen to have the specific web address of the download? I think I downloaded the wrong driver.

[Zaphod]

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vfoxpro/downl ... fault.aspx

Read that page carefully, as there seem to be special cases for Windows Millennium and 2000.

Also, when setting up the ODBC connection, PowerChurch 8 and higher use "free tables." Version 7 used a database container (dbc).