ACC2000: INI File Created When Exporting to Lotus Format

When you export from Microsoft Access to a Lotus 1-2-3 format of *.WK1, *.WK3, or *.WJ2, an associated INI file with the same file name is also created. For example, if you export Table1 to the WK3 Lotus 1-2-3 format, an INI file with the name Table1.INI is also created in the same folder.

The INI file is used internally by the Microsoft Jet database engine to determine the number of columns and the data type of each column during the export process.

If the INI file exists when linking a Lotus 1-2-3 file, there will be a slight performance gain because Microsoft Access will not need to determine the column and data type information when linking; otherwise, the INI files can be safely deleted with no negative effects.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.
2. In the Database window, select the Categories table.
3. On the File menu, click Export.
4. In the Save as type list, click Lotus 1-2-3 WK3. In the File name box, type WKTest. Note the folder name in the Save in box, and then click Save.
5. Open Windows explorer and browse to the folder in which you saved the file. You will see the WKTest.WK3 and also a file named WKTest.INI.