create a MDE file

[leaf]

Hello there,

I do not want data entry people to be able to make any
design changes to a database. According to some sources,
I should make a backend frontend database and make the
frontend a MDE file.

So I made a copy of the database. In the copy, I deleted
all the tables. But then I did not find "Get External
Data" and "Link Tables" under Tool in the original
database.

Any detailed steps on creating a MDE file?

Thanks,

leaf

 

[Lynn Trapp]

First of all, there is a Database splitter that will do the task of
splitting the database for you. Second, Get External Data is on the File
menu.

--
Lynn Trapp
MS Access MVP
www.ltcomputerdesigns.com
Access Security: www.ltcomputerdesigns.com/Security.htm
Security FAQ: http://support.microsoft.com/support/access/content/secfaq.asp

 

[leaf]

Where is the database splitter? In which copy of the
database do you "get external data?"

Thanks,

leaf

 

[tina]

first, be sure you keep a .mdb copy of the frontend for
yourself, so YOU can make design changes as needed.

So I made a copy of the database. In the copy, I deleted
all the tables. But then I did not find "Get External
Data" and "Link Tables" under Tool in the original
database.

in the "copy of the database", link the tables that reside
in the backend. (you can't link tables "out" from the back
end - you have to link tables "in" from the frontend.)

after setting up the table links in the frontend, compact
the frontend db. then click Tools, Database Utilities,
Make MDE File... the system will do all the work for you.

remember, send the frontend.mde to your users, but keep
the master frontend.mdb for yourself.

by the way, an MDE file will protect your forms, report,
and modules from user changes....but it will NOT protect
queries, nor prevent access to the data directly from the
linked tables. you need to "lock" the db to do that, or
utilize the software's built-in security.

hth

 

[Lynn Trapp]

Where is the database splitter?

Tool > Database Utilities > Database Splitter

In which copy of the
database do you "get external data?"

I'm not sure what you mean here.


--
Lynn Trapp
MS Access MVP
www.ltcomputerdesigns.com
Access Security: www.ltcomputerdesigns.com/Security.htm
Security FAQ: http://support.microsoft.com/support/access/content/secfaq.asp

 

[leaf]

Hello Tina,

Make MDE file is not activated when I went to Tools,
Database Utilities, after I compacted the frontend d.

Leaf

 

[tina]

follow the instructions from my previous post. after
compacting the frontend database, close it - but do NOT
close Access.
now, with no database open, click on Tools, etc. hopefully
the Make MDE... option will be available.
in A2k you can make an MDE file from either an open or
closed .mdb file, so i'm guessing you're using a different
version of Access. if above doesn't work for you, i'm at a
loss, sorry - i only have A2k available to look at.

hth

 

[Cheryl Fischer]

Leaf,

You can only make an MDE of an MDB file if the file format is the same as
the Access version you are using. For example, if you are using Access
2002, you can only create an MDE if the file format of the database is also
Access 2002. In Access 2002, the default database file format is Access
2000, so this might be why the Make MDE file option is grayed out.