UNLINKING ACCESS TABLE

[fusion007]

Hi...I have a table which is linked with a table to another database which is a different version. This is no longer required as all users are on the same version now.

I tried to copy and paste the table selecting local data and structure but I keep getting an error 'Invalid argument'. I'm not sure how to overcome this problem or know if there is another method to unlink the table without having to copy and paste as local.
Can someone please help? Thanks

 

[Remou]

I am not quite sure what you mean. if you deleted a linked table, it will be 'unlinked'. Be very sue that t is a linked table before you deleted as you will not be able to undo this action. When you press delete, you should receive a message "Do you want to remove the link to table 'TableName'.

 

[fusion007]

Hi I don't want to delete the table. I still need to use the table but becuase it is linked at the moment I can not make any changes to the table. I get message saying changes can't be made to a linked table.
That is why I want to unlink it and use as a local table. Hence I tried copy and paste as local table but it comes up with 'invalid argument'.

 

[Remou]

Do you mean that you wish to create a table from a linked table? If so, you can use a query. Changes made to the local table will not be reflected in the linked table.

 

[fusion007]

No - perhaps I'm not explaining it properly. I want to make changes to the linked table such as make a mandotory field to a non mandatory field but as the table is linked it will not let me do that and save the changes to the table.

What I want to do is somehow unlink this table and the only way I know is to copy and paste it as local but this doesn't work. If this did work then I have would deleted the linked table and renamed the local table and use it as the table has a join to another table for queries.

Thanks

 

[Remou]

If you wish to make such changes to a table, you should open the database that the table has been linked from and make changes there. Why can you not do this? It is the usual thing to do.

 

[fusion007]

I get 'inavlid argument' message everytime I try to do anything to any of the tables. Even the ones that are not linked.

 

[Remou]

It seems as if you have a corrupted database. You will never be able to change the structure of a linked table, but you should be able to change the local tables. Can you change tables in a new, test database?

A. If you can, you need to go through the usual steps for a corrupt database, that is, after backing up:
* compact/repair
* decompile
* import to new database

Stop when the problem is fixed.

B. If you can't work with a new database, you may need to reinstall Access and make sure that you have all the service packs.

 

[fusion007]

I'll try that. But I even deleted the database that the table was linked from to try and copy it as a local table but still no joy.

 

[Remou]

I am confused. Why does copying the table keep coming up? I thought you wished to change the structure of a table. Can you change the structure of any table, in any database?

 

[fusion007]

The reason I was trying to copy the linked table is because I want to make changes to the table and as changes can't be made to a linked table my plan was to copy the linked table and then delete the linked table afterwards.

I tried compact and repair but still have problem. I keep getting 'inavlide argument'.

Thanks

 

[Remou]

Please tell me if you can make changes to a table in another database, a new database, created for testing.

 

[fusion007]

Yes changes can be made to other databases.

I've eventually managed to sort the table in this database as well. After a few goes at doing a compact and repair database I was abale to copy the linked table as local and rename this copied table.
Don't know what went wrong but got there in the end.
Thanks very much for your time and effort.

 

[Remou]

It is likely that your database is already too big, which is why copying the table may not have been the best idea. Working with the database from which the table was linked is likely to have been the best solution.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/835416