First, the reason:
You have a split database....I am going to assume the split includes all tables in the backend on the network and all query, forms, reports on your local end. When you do a compact, it does not compact the linked tables.
Second, a solution:
You can set up a function to do this....you would need to create a connection to the remote database, compact it, then compact the current database.....it would not be easy code, but if you want an example, send me an email and I will forward you something I wrote that includes all the parts....you will just have to put them together in the order you need them to run...
THIRD AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE REASON NOT TO DO THIS:
Search Tek-Tips, for autonumber out of sequence, or rolling back autonumber, or something like this....you will find MANY threads on this topic alread have been discussed....The short and the sweet of it is that autonumber should almost NEVER be used for any piece of data that is relevant. It is merely a unique identifier...you you need to enforce sequential numbering or something, create your own function to provide the numbering system....it is COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT if an autonumber is missing numbers, starts at 23421, or whatever.....it should not matter to your data at all..... Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. (Albert Einstein)
Robert L. Johnson III, MCP, Network+, A+
Access Developer/Programmer
robert.l.johnson.iii@citigroup.com