Backwards Compatibility

Question

I have developed an MS-Access application using Access 2016 from Office 365.  It will be shared with some colleagues who have earlier versions.  How far back will be compatible: 2007, 2010, 2013?

Answer 1

Since it sounds like you have Users with 2007 that is what I would recommend.  That said, I have done it 2010 with no side effect when opening in Access 2007.

Answer 2

I've read that rule of thumb before and it's probably a rule for a reason.  I have an old copy of "Microsoft Office Enterprise 2007" that I can re-install for development.  I understand that there are some significant changes somewhere along the Access product line (2007-2010-2013-2016).  Would going back to 2007 be appropriate or should I only go back to 2010 or 2013 to avoid any "gotchas"?

Answer 3

Well, that can be tricky because you would have to be sure you used nothing that was not available in the earlier versions.  General rule of thumb is to develop in the lowest version available to your Users.  That said, I have done it (testing) and I could go back to Access 2010, had a problem with Access 2007 but that might have been a feature I used.