I have an MS Access database (.accdb) that I have created with several queries, forms, and macros. The database was created using Linked Tables that point to Excel spreadsheet files on a network drive. We are looking to add a survey capability to this database that would need to update one of the linked tables.
Looking online, it appears that splitting the database between Backend (BE) and Frontend (FE) is the best way to ensure multiple users can access/edit the information without the Excel files being locked out.
However, when I follow the directions on how to split the database, by BE file doesn't have any tables in it. I can manually go in and recreate the links to the Excel files in the BE file, but when I go into the FE file I am not able to link to the BE files.
My Question: Is there a way to have a BE file hold Linked Excel tables, and have the FE file link to the BE linked tables?
No, this is not possible. You can only link directly to tables, you can't link to linked tables.
Also, Excel is not fit for data storage in a multi-user environment unless it's read-only.
You can, of course, link to the Excel files in your front-end, or query the Excel files in your front-end without linking.
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I have a front end MS Access Database that allows users to display records. This is based on a central .txt file that I have stored on a network drive. Each morning, I perform an ETL process that takes data from a variety of sources, combines it, and stores it in the .txt file. If someone is using the database and has one of the queries open that references this .txt file, I get an error that says the file is currently in use and I cannot make a change to it.
I've attempted writing a query that pulls the data from the .txt file and stores it in a table within the Access database so that it is not actively referencing the base file, but if multiple people attempt to run this query they get errors because you cannot replace a table that is open by someone else.
Does anyone have any experience in getting around an update issue like this? Would I be better off choosing a different front end other than Access to display queried records from a central table?
I have a database in access that has 4 tables and 4 forms that are bounded to those tables. I recently split the database and the tables are now stored in a different file and I have the front end stored on a shared drive(People in the office want to use the database while it is being built, so I had to put it on a shared drive). My questions is, I am planning on adding another table to the database with it's bounded form. How can I link the table and the form when they are going to be in two different files? The other tables and forms work because I used the wizard to split the database.
Assuming you are asking how to do this manually:
Open the backend in Access and add the new table. Note that at this time, no user should try to access the backend, be it via your frontend or the Access UI.
In the frontend, use the Linked Table wizard to add a link to the new table.
Note: all these steps could be done via VBA as well.
Is it possible to link one MDB to another in a standalone manner?
Ie. If I have the accounts table in db1.mdb and the products table in db2.mdb, can both these MDBs be coded so that they can link to each of the tables in a seamless manner?
Yes, just do it. You can create linked tables in MS Access, and the Jet engine does not care anymore in which MDB file the data resides.
In fact it is good practice to separate the data db from the code db, because you can send updated code dbs without the need to update the data db to your customers.
Btw. we stopped storing data in MDBs altogether, because they tend to break regulary. Better start using the Microsoft Desktop Database Engine immediatly, and just place the code in thr MDB.
I have a MS Access database with few tables and a form. When more than one user tried to save changes to data - I get this error:
"Configuration can't save design changes or save to a new database object because another user has file open"
Not sure why this is happening, since the design is not being changed just a data.
Any thoughts?
It is recommended to split databases in multi-user environments. This will allow you to develop on a copy of the front-end and then circulate it to the users.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa167840(office.11).aspx
I googled and it seems you have to split the database in a front-end per user and a backend containing (only) the data.
If I try to duplicate an access file (this file is split into mdb and be mdb, and also has mde files), by importing everything into a brand new access application, why won't the table links work? Everytime I click anything it says that the tables cannot be found
Probably so simple it's not worth asking on here, but ....?
When you import a link table in the usual way (File->Get External data), the links are imported not the tables themselves. You need to import the tables from the back-end.