Undefined function 'left' in expression (only a problem with Windows 7 with MS Access)

Question

Greetings,

I have an MS Access application that works perfectly on Windows Vista and Windows XP, but certain functions do not work on my new Windows 7 computer.  The problem seems to show itself when I call certain expressions.  For example, the function to pull the leftmost characters ("LEFT") generates the following error (again, only on Windows7):

---- "Undefined function 'left' in expression" ----

Has anyone else seen this behavior when moving MS Access applications to Windows 7 systems?

And, more importantly, does anyone have a suggestion to fix this?

Thanks,

MontyPython

Answer 1

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=7287252C-402E-4F72-97A5-E0FD290D4B76&displaylang=en

---

Bob Larson Former Access MVP (2008-2010)

Answer 2

Usually that has to do with MISSING REFERENCES because of some slight difference in where the files may be in certain operating systems.  So, open the database, Go to the VBA Window, and then to TOOLS > REFERENCES and see if any show MISSING next to them.  If not, uncheck the DAO reference (if there is one) and then close the dialog and open again and go back and reselect it.  If you don't have a DAO (3.x for 2003 or earlier, Microsoft Office 12.0 Access Database Engine Object Library - or 14.0 if on 2010) then uncheck and do the same for the ADO reference you might have.

---

Bob Larson Former Access MVP (2008-2010)

Answer 3

You are welcome Dave. Glad we could assist.

---

Bob Larson Former Access MVP (2008-2010)

Answer 4

Hi Bob,

Thanks a million!!  It worked beautifully ... and I could not have done it without you.

Thanks,

Dave (alias Monty Python)

Answer 5

Hi Bob,

You were correct.  I looked at VBA's TOOLS > REFERENCES and there is indeed the designation "MISSING: MS Office Web Components".

MS Access is trying to find the file in the "C:\program file\etc" folder, instead of the "C:\program file (x86)\etc" folder.

Interestingly, the other components are pointing to the correct "C:\program file (x86)\etc" folder.  The folder called "Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Components" does not appear in either the "C:\program file\etc" folder or the "C:\program file (x86)\etc" folder, which explains why it can't find the reference file.

How do I obtain the correct file(s)?  Or can I simply copy the appropriate files from my 32-bit Vista computer into the appropriate file folders?

Thanks