Does anyone have the tool to convert MSI files to Access (mdb) file format?
Hi,
i know that this is a long shot, but many years ago I came across a tool that could read MSI database file and convert them to access files, purely for the visualisation of the relationships between the tables. Does anyone still have this in their bag of tools? (VBScab, Captain or perhaps EdT?)
Cheers
Phil
i know that this is a long shot, but many years ago I came across a tool that could read MSI database file and convert them to access files, purely for the visualisation of the relationships between the tables. Does anyone still have this in their bag of tools? (VBScab, Captain or perhaps EdT?)
Cheers
Phil
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Answers (4)
Answer Summary:
Will need to develop the required functionality myself. The tool that I mentioned in the header is obviously no longer available.
Will need to develop the required functionality myself. The tool that I mentioned in the header is obviously no longer available.
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Posted by:
anonymous_9363
8 years ago
Sorry, no, I have nothing like that but it's a great idea! It should be too hard to create one, though. As you know, there is an object model and the sample MS scripts could be leveraged to make a start on querying the tables.
You might hit a snag with custom tables but, again, I think one of the sample scripts queries the schema so...
Good luck!
Comments:
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I would sit down and try it myself, but as I mentioned, someone has already done it. I did have the application (command line tool) but cannot find it anywhere... Perhaps EdT has it in his bag of tools... - Pressanykey 8 years ago
Posted by:
sparky86
8 years ago
in the past if we have had to do this we have exported the tables from orca, then run a bat file that renames the ibt files to .txt and runs a bulk import to a new access database file named after the package, i will try and dig it out if i can
Comments:
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Hi Sparky, would be nice if you could share your example as a kick-off point...
Cheers
Phil - Pressanykey 8 years ago
Posted by:
captain_planet
8 years ago
Top Answer
I've not to be honest. Like VBScab says, it's doable using the API. It just requires a (fair) bit of legwork. Alternatively if you just need it 'purely for the visualisation of the relationships between the tables' then InstEd could work?
In this screenshot I have highlighted a row in the Component table and it has told me the relationship at the bottom.
If you wanted some diagrams (although these aren't great) you could try:
etc...
Comments:
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Hi Captain,
thanks for the pointers, was aware of these. If I remember correctly, seeing these relationship diagrams was the initial spark of looking (and eventually) finding something many years ago (must have been around 2002 or so).
Cheers
Phil - Pressanykey 8 years ago
Posted by:
Pressanykey
8 years ago
Hi Guys,
thanks for the feedback...
I was hoping to avoid having to program it myself (bit lazy at the minute) as it really is only donkey work (Read _Tables, for each entry read the _Columns, assign, check for FK's perhaps read through the _Validation to ensure that the FK's are valid, build the classes and then dynamically build the (access) db... lot's of footwork..
When I have a spare couple of days I'll sit down and have a look.
Cheers
Phil
thanks for the feedback...
I was hoping to avoid having to program it myself (bit lazy at the minute) as it really is only donkey work (Read _Tables, for each entry read the _Columns, assign, check for FK's perhaps read through the _Validation to ensure that the FK's are valid, build the classes and then dynamically build the (access) db... lot's of footwork..
When I have a spare couple of days I'll sit down and have a look.
Cheers
Phil