Microsoft Access provides a powerful linkage facility that enables the seamless integration of disparate data-stores into an Access database. Built-in drivers (similar to ODBC) are provided for most versions of dBase, FoxPro, Excel, HTML (tables or lists) and Text files (delimited or fixed-width). Drivers for Lotus 1-2-3, Paradox and Microsoft Exchange / Outlook are available through Office 97 ValuPack. In addition, any data-store equipped with an ODBC driver (e.g., Oracle, Clipper, and Lotus Notes) can also be linked into Access.
Scriptoria provides complete support for this linkage facility enabling the creation of homogeneous DB2 databases from heterogeneous data stores throughout the enterprise. DB2 table definitions created from linked data stores include primary and unique keys, indexes and not null constraints when available. Changes to the data model of linked data stores that have matching DB2 tables can be synchronized just as native Access tables are.
The above Access database includes links (entries shown with a right arrow) to dBase and FoxPro desktop databases, an Excel spreadsheet, a delimited text file and DB2, Oracle and Sybase ODBC sources.