Microsoft Access 32-bit abd 64-bit compatibility

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Rickles

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#311215 23-Dec-2023 20:22

A group I assist with has a membership database that was created in 2016 and uses Access and VBA coding.

However, it only seems to work when using 32-bit version of Office/Access.

Any ideas why it cannot be run on a 64-bit version?

The only thing I can think of is that it still uses CDO for sending emails, but I cannot find any information to suggest that this could be a hindrance.

Would/should it run on 64-bit using Compatibility Mode?

elpenguino

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#3175094 23-Dec-2023 23:52

When you say it "doesn't run" , what does that mean?

Can you open a form , a table, run a query etc etc.

At work we run a much older Access DB than that and it runs on O365 just fine.

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mentalinc

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#3175116 24-Dec-2023 06:07

is it hard coded to C:\Program Files (x86)? but 64 bit office should be in C:\Program Files

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MickeyD

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#3175138 24-Dec-2023 09:06

Are you getting any error messages?

In my experience this usually needs the PtrSafe keyword added to declare statements when calling external libraries, e.g.

Private Declare PtrSafe Function apiGetUserName Lib "advapi32.dll" Alias "GetUserNameA" (ByVal lpBuffer As String, nSize As Long) As Long

Private Declare PtrSafe Function apiGetComputerName Lib "kernel32" Alias "GetComputerNameA" (ByVal lpBuffer As String, nSize As Long) As Long

Private Declare PtrSafe Sub sapiSleep Lib "kernel32" Alias "Sleep" (ByVal dwMilliseconds As Long)

Reference: ptrsafe-keyword

Rickles

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#3175141 24-Dec-2023 09:19

Thanks all .... I need to run the database for myself and see what actually happens. I was relying on what I'd been told.

New Year project i think 😁

gehenna

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#3175151 24-Dec-2023 10:18

Does it need to run in a 64 bit version? Not sure if it's still the case but MS used to recommend installing the 32 bit version of Office unless you had a need for the processing overhead in massive Excel sheets etc.

Rickles

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#3175159 24-Dec-2023 11:01

>Does it need to run in a 64 bit version? Not sure if it's still the case but MS used to recommend installing the 32 bit version of Office unless you had a need for the processing overhead in massive Excel sheets etc.<

I believe that there is a new, updated, computer coming.

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gehenna

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#3175175 24-Dec-2023 12:21

I don't think that changes their advice.

Choose between the 64-bit or 32-bit version of Office - Microsoft Support

"We recommend the 32-bit version of Microsoft 365 for most users, because it's more compatible with most other applications, especially 3rd-party add-ins. However, consider the 64-bit version, especially if you're working with large blocks of information or graphics."

Rickles

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#3175197 24-Dec-2023 12:55

>I don't think that changes their advice.<

Very true, and what I advised. I was merely asking on the group's behalf.

Andib

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#3175258 24-Dec-2023 20:20

Depending on its age / who programmed the VBA, it could be utilising 16bit functions that don’t exist in the 64 bit version of office.

You’ll need to run it and see how broken it is on 64bit office, if it’s only a single function maybe try passing it into ChatGPT. I’ve had a good run on using it to convert access 97 & 2003 macros to Office365 compatible code.

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Lias

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#3175484 25-Dec-2023 19:32

gehenna:

Choose between the 64-bit or 32-bit version of Office - Microsoft Support

"We recommend the 32-bit version of Microsoft 365 for most users, because it's more compatible with most other applications, especially 3rd-party add-ins. However, consider the 64-bit version, especially if you're working with large blocks of information or graphics."

Search shows that blurb for that page, but the page itself doesn't. The page makes it clear that 64 bit is the default (and FWIW it has been for some time now for O365 and I'd imagine 32 bit's days are numbered)

"The 64-bit version of Microsoft 365 is automatically installed unless you explicitly select the 32-bit version before beginning the installation process."

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