Manipulating linked tables in Access - ms-access

A process that I am running needs to be able to delete a table and then re-create it with new data. I've recently moved it into a different database that houses all the processes for a particular division in one place. I've been required to have all the tables from the original database set up as linked tables in the new one. Now when it is run, the process deletes the linked table reference and creates a new (un-linked) table inside the new database. I know that I can delete the table through the link, but would I then be able to re-create the table and then re-link it to the new database automatically?

There are a number of ways of linking tables, but you seem to be working purely with MS Access, so
DoCmd.TransferDatabase includes Link as one of the options.

Related

Operations between linked tables and native tables

I have three identical tables, one on MySQL, one linked to this one on Access by ODBC, and a native in the same Access database.
When I update the table on MySQL, the linked table on Access updates, and vice versa. But I would like to know if it is possible that the linked table updates the native table (and vice versa)?
Access table
MySQL table
It really depends on how the local Access table is being updated. If it is ALWAYS updated say by a few forms, then you could add a after update even to those few forms, and put in code to update the MySQL table.
Another approch (again you only/always update the local tables) is to add a table trigger to the local table. In this table code event, you can actually have it call some VBA code, and that VBA code could then update/insert to the linked MySQL table. Once again, then the two tables will automatic remain in sync.
The other possible would be to add a time + date stamp column to the tables (both on MySQL side, and on the Access side). You could then write some VBA code to sync up the tables. Such code is not too hard, but in a multi-user setting, this can become quite a challenge, since while you are syncing the data, other users might also update the MySQL tables and thus your sync routines might well miss some tables. Database sync software and this subject can fill a few books the size of medical texts, and is a VERY complex subject.
However, why not just always use linked tables to MySQL, and be done with any requirements to sync data? Access makes a great client to SQL server or MySQL. If you eliminate the local tables, then you eliminate the need to sync your data.

Refresh Data in Access 2016 from Read-Only MySQL ODBC`

I am attempting to "sync" data from a read-only ODBC MySQL server to Access 2016. I need to move the data into Access so that I can more easily manipulate and create better customized reports.
I have linked the data tables between Access and MySQL, however I cannot get the data in these tables to automatically refresh. I must go into Access and hit "Refresh All".
What I'm looking to do is update all of my open tables in Access once nightly so that each morning the data used to build these reports is new. Currently if I leave these tables all evening, when I get in the next morning I must hit "Refresh-All" for Access to go retrieve the most recent data.
Any ideas?
The data in linked tables is automatically refreshed by access when you attempt to read them. You can do that by displaying a datasheet view of the database, or by a form where the linked table is the data source. Beware, we have had problems which tables with lots of records being the source for drop down lists, having the database locked.
Access only does this properly (and at speed) if either the underlying table has a unique clustered index, or after having linked the tables you create an index in access.
If you want to create a copy that you can manipulate (such as write to) and the underlying tables are read only, then you will have to create matching unlinked tables and execute some form of copy sql and appropriate points in your application.

Link Access Database with Mysql Server and Use Access as Frontend [Table Issue]

I was working on an Access Application that has already an access database (tables, queries etc ) and a front end. I was trying to link access existing database tables with mysql. So, what I have done so far is, I have successfully linked the access tables with mysql using ODBC. My understanding regarding linking access table with mysql db was that, by doing so, I would have the same 'old' access table linked with mysql, but I was wrong. Instead after linking I got a new table (fields same as old) that has links with mysql database.
http://i.imgur.com/mfSF5hR.png [See this link showing old 'access' and new 'linked' table]
For instance, I had an 'Actor' table in access db (before linking) and after it I have 2 tables. One is the old access 'Actor' table and other is the new linked table named 'Actor1'. So, if I do changes in my old access table, the table in mysql doesn't get change but when I do changes in my new linked table i.e 'Actor1' changes happen in mysql table too.
Here the problem is my front end form/queries are using my access table the old one, so is there any way to use new 'linked' table without changing in the front end ?
Thanks in advance.
You just need to rename your Linked MySQL table (rename the link in Access only) so that it matches perfectly the name you were using for that same table before in Access. This way you won't have to change your forms, queries, reports.
There is no magic that happens in Access between local tables and linked tables. It's still up to you to move your data, make sure the MySQL table is designed the way you want it, maintain the links, delete old Access tables, etc.

Access replacing local table with ODBC linked table preserving original name references

I am trying to replace all the local tables in my Access DB with linked tables from an ODBC data source. I am able to import the new table which comes in as "xyz_table". I want to replace the old local "table" with "xyz_table". However when I delete "table" or rename "xyz_table" to replace "table" it deletes all of the relationships / object dependencies of the original local "table". (queries, forms, reports etc.,)
Is there anyway to save/apply the relationships / object dependencies from the original local "table" to the new ODBC linked "xyz_table". I don't want to go through by hand and try to re-link all the relationships / object dependencies.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Access can't enforce referential integrity for linked tables, and won't allow you to create such relationhips. Create the relationships in the database which is the source of the linked tables.
To deal with object dependencies when changing from local to remote tables, rename the old tables to something else, and give the linked tables the original table names.
For example if I have a query based on a native Access table named "tblFoo". I would rename "tblFoo" to "tblFoo_old". Then name the replacement ODBC-linked table as "tblFoo". Ideally the query would still work correctly even though "tblFoo" was now a link instead of a local table.
The same technique works for tables referenced in forms and reports.
Beware of the Access option, track name autocorrect. It may update the dependent objects when you rename the original tables. Turn that option off so it won't interfere.

Index on Sharepoint Linked table

I am using MS Access 2010 and I already have sharepoint linked table created in the database.
I wanted to know how i can create indexes on this linked table. When i am going to design view of linked table and clicking on indexes cloumn getting message like this property can not be modified in linked table.
I am actually trying to run one query on top of linked table and its taking very time to return resutls when doing Analyze performance then getting message of creating indexes on few fields of linked table.
You can most certainly create and set the indexes from Access with a linked table to SharePoint.
The way you do this is bring up the linked table in table view (not design view). Then in the ribbon you click on the index button. Here is a screen shot:
You can also of course if you want bring up the table on the SharePoint site and also add the index that way.
Note that you can also use this layout mode to add new columns to the SharePoint tables from Access.
You can not create indexes on linked tables in MS Access. You will need to either create new indexes in sharepoint or import the data from your linked table and create an index on that.