Access db location

[WysJP]

Hi all,

First post.....And a fairly new user.

I am building an Infopath form to view/edit data from an Access db. I've
been successful as long as the db is on the local machine.

I want this form to do this when the db is on a SharePoint site. When
building the connection, I use a path to the SP server that is stored in
"Network Places". However the Data Link properties under the connection tab
shows the path for the db is actually local, starting at Documents & Settings
and ending in the IE5 Content directory.

I have attempted to replace this local path with the SharePoint URL. With
this URL, the connection test fails.

Surfing and reading, I have not found anything that says an InfoPath form
(published to the same SP site) "cannot" edit data using this config, but
then again I haven't found anything that shows me how to build this type of
connection.

Either I'm missing the obvious or I'm trying to make InfoPath do something
it cannot do.

All assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

[Clay Fox]

An Access DB cannot be utilized (opened) from a library in Sharepoint.
You need to place it in a network folder which everyone who needs access can
get it.
Then link it into your form using the UNC path \\server\share\access.mdb
That way everyone can access it properly in the form.
then publish your form wherever you want and when they open the form it can
connect successfully to the data.
If you are going to have more than a few concurrent users, best practice is
to use SQL instead of Access since it is designed for multi-user interaction.

 

[WysJP]

Thank You!!

I've been banging my head for a couple of days on that. It is likely we
will move over to SQL down the road, but for now Access is our datastore.

This is probably the wrong forum, but I'll ask it anyway. Our goal is to
make the data accessible (editable) by users in and out of the AD domain. I
thought placing the db within a SP library would do the trick (I guess not).

Can non AD domain users access this db using the UNC? If not...could the
InfoPath form access the db on an ISS server using a URL?

Again, appreciate the help!!

 

[Clay Fox]

The security and permissions would be different for the file share with the
Access DB and SharePoint.

You could not put any permissions on the Access DB or let everyone use one
accoutn for access. Alot depends on your requirments.

But you should be able to accomodate this. Performance may be another
consideration.
If you would like to discuss architecture and best practices you can email
me here.
http://www.infopathdev.com/members/clayfox.aspx

 

[Naveen]

I have a requirement to get the data from Access DB and Store it in InfoPath
Form. I was able to have a data connection to Access DB located in a local
folder but not able to convert this into UDCX file. How can I
generate/convert data connection to Access DB into UDCX file so that the path
can be configured?

Any inputs will be greately helpful because we are in urgent need.