LINKED TABLE MANAGER - ISSUE 1

[PrgrmsAll]

I inherited a access database application. The Access portion is pretty much a front-end utilizing linked tables. These linked tables exist on SQLServer. When I go into the Linked Table Manager, I see all the linked tables listed. The entries all look similar to this:

tblCustomers (DATABASE=OUR_SQL

My confusion is how the developer linked these tables. My problem is that I need to add more linked tables in the same way. Other than via an ODBC DSN, I am not sure how I can do this.

Not sure whether it matters, but users of this application all belong to a Windows Group. This Windows group is granted access in the SQLServer.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Trevil]

I will try to provide a little insight, but you can pray for a better response... We had a developer address this about two years ago, so I'm going to paste his comments.

(note: there is a lot more information saved in the connection string than what you see on the 'linked manager' display)

"...used a DSN file to link to the SQL Server table. But MSAccess stored all the information found in his DSN within the Description property of his linked table."

"Since MSAccess has the server and driver information in the table's Description property, it doesn't use the DSN anymore. So, to move data servers like we just did, ... simply provided each client with a new MSAccess .MDB file in which he'd "relinked" the tables. The clients need no .DSN file of their own."

In summary, you can create a "File DSN", then link a new table then distribute. Or you can have a code module that dynamically links to a specific table.


"Hmmm, it worked when I tested it....

 

[PrgrmsAll]

Okay, I think I understand what I need to do ... sort of. Thanks for the information.

Was the "Hmmm, it worked when I tested it...." comment yours, in other words, did you get it working as a test? Or was that the original poster's comment?

 

[Trevil]

Sorry for the "Hmmmm" - just my 'signature line' that was the response given by someone I worked with back in the 70's whenever we confronted him about something of his not working.

You can link tables different ways then via code grab the connect string to see what it contains.

"Hmmm, it worked when I tested it....