Can someone help me understand how to make a backup of my database?

[seawave]

Hi,
I'm fairly new to Access and was wanting to make a backup copy of my database. Is there a backup command in Access?

Thank you for your help.

 

[Darrylles]

Hi,

If you want a backup, then goto Tools->DBase Utilities->Compact & Repair. To reduce the size.

Then simply copy the .mdb file to wherever you want to back it up to.

This is the quickest and simplest way to do it.

(Sorry - bit of an anti-climax eh?)

Regards,

Darrylle

"Never argue with an idiot, he'll bring you down to his level - then beat you with experience." darrylles@totalise.co.uk

 

[TomCologne]

Simply copying was my first thought, too.
As an alternative, you could use the "Replication" tool. The advantage is the slightly more 'elegant' updating of your backup/replica by synchronizing instead of overwriting the db each time.

You're not alone,

TomCologne

 

[Darrylles]

Hi Tom,

Appreciate the 'replication' idea, but is this really 'backup'?

If you change something in your original, the replicated 'backup' also changes to match the original.

If you want to revert to a backup - because of loss of data due to a change in code - you've lost your data - no? Perhaps you want to go back to a previously good working form - will you still have Access to that previous form?

Haven't used replication, so you'll know better than me.

Kind regards,

Darrylle "Never argue with an idiot, he'll bring you down to his level - then beat you with experience." darrylles@totalise.co.uk

 

[TomCologne]

Hi Darrylle,

No, it's not a real backup, but changes to the replica are not made until you synchronize. It was actually only an idea and you might as well go with the copy option, or try the replication with a sample db and see how it works.
I just started using Outlook, so I don't know if its 'AutoArchive' feature would do you any good. I'll let you know should I come across a real backup method.

'til then,

TomCologne