Database Sharing 1

[matpj]

I am in the middle of creating a database, and it will be placed on a shared drive which is mapped to the users' machines.

there are going to be about 4 users all accessing and modifying the data within the database.

how do I go about setting this up?
Do i just have the one .mdb file that they all open?
if one of them changes something, will the other users only see it when they exit and re-open the database?
Should I set password, or any other settings?
any help would be appreciated,

Matthew

 

[robrichardson]

You need to split the database. Use Tools|Add ins|Database spliter.

This will make two mdb files. The Master file will store all the tables and the other the forms, queries, reports etc.

You should then place the Master mdb file somewhere where all your users can access. Then place a copy of the user mdb file on everyones hard drive and setup a desktop shortcut to this file.

Access will automatically handle the record locking between users.

If you need to set up password protection you have two choices, use workgroups (create a group and add evryone etc..) or create a table holding user name and password. Then use a form where the user enters the username and password to continue.

With the second option it is possible to use the same user name as perhaps a users' window/netware password.

Let us know for more info.

Rob Richardson

 

[RickSpr]

Users won't have to close the database in order to see each other's changes, but they won't see a change to the record they're currently looking at on a form unless they choose Records>Refresh from the menu. Closing the form and opening it back up works, too.

Basically, Access keeps a bunch of records around the current record cached on the local machine, and changes to those records won't be seen immediately. Choosing Refresh from the menu flushes that cache, and so does moving around through the records. So some changes may not be seen automatically right away, but Refresh or moving around will make them appear. Rick Sprague

 

[mfd777]

It may be a good idea to link the backend database by using a unc path rather than a mapped drive so you don't need to worry about consistent drive mapping configurations.

 

[DolphinFan]

I have been facing problems sharing an Access2000 database across our network. I keep getting the "The Database has been placed in a State by User ...." and prevents the file from opening. I did look at the knowledge base but the upgrade to SR1a does not seem to help. Could you please provide any insight on this?

Also, could "mfd777" please provide the details on using the unc path for linking data tables?

Thanks for your help.

DolphinFan

 

[Rohdem]

This link has a utility that will automatically update Front Ends on workstations when changes are made. We have found this to be a very handy utility:

http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/autofe.htm

Mike Rohde
rohdem@marshallengines.com

 

[matpj]

This is a question about the database splitting.
once the database has been split is there any way to reform it?
If it is split, can I still make changes to the structure as I normally would? etc?

thanks for any help

Matthew