What does the MS Access icon with a Key mean?

[biocentrism]

I have 2 different types of icons for my Access files, 1) with the letter-A in the top left corner; 2) with a key in the top left corner.

I assume the A-icon is just a normal file.

But what does the key-icon mean?

 

[starl]

Pre-2007 Access databases have a prominent key icon. 2007 and newer, including the temp file created by opening any database version has a prominent A with a key in the background.

 

[biocentrism]

I am running 2010. This is not a temp file as far as I can tell. it is my actual database. It used to have an A, but now it has a key.

Is there a way I can attach a JPG of it?

I have searched Google images and cannot even find it there. Am I the only one with this?

 

[starl]

You're not the only one. I have a 2003 database and it has a key. It's also an mdb file, not an accdb.

 

[biocentrism]

Ahhhhhh, I see.

1) how did it become an .mdb file? I only have 2010 and I don't see how it became an .mdb file as .mdb is not even an optional file type when I go to save?

2) how can I convert it back to an .accdb file?

Thank you!

 

[starl]

Access is not my strongpoint, so my answer may be lacking. But, you *can* change the version by doing a Save & Publish, but it would create a copy. But this option would allow you to convert an accdb to an mdb. Which should also allow you to change it back to an accdb

 

[biocentrism]

Thanks!