Make linked tables read only?

[Carl Rapson]

I have a split database (Access 2002) with the data tables in a server-based
back-end and a bunch of pre-defined reports in the front-end (MDE). I have a
lot users requesting an "ad-hoc" report capability, but I really don't feel
like re-creating the Access Report writer within my application. What I
would like to do is make the Report tool available to the users and let them
create their own reports. I'm thinking along the lines of distributing
another MDB file to the users with nothing in it but the linked data tables;
then the users can create whatever report and queries (or even forms) they
wish in their own MDB. The problem is, I don't want them making changes to
the data or to the back-end data tables. So, is it possible to somehow link
the data tables as "read only"? That way, the users can create queries and
reports, but can't change the data.

Thanks for any information,

Carl Rapson

 

[Joan Wild]

I'm thinking along the lines of distributing another MDB file to the users
with nothing in it but the linked data tables; then the users can create
whatever report and queries (or even forms) they wish in their own MDB.
The problem is, I don't want them making changes to the data or to the
back-end data tables. So, is it possible to somehow link the data tables
as "read only"? That way, the users can create queries and reports, but
can't change the data.

You can accomplish this by implementing security and giving minimal
permissions on the tables.

Security FAQ
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=207793

You can secure the tables without users needing to login. See
http://www.jmwild.com/SecureNoLogin.htm

 

[Carl Rapson]

You can accomplish this by implementing security and giving minimal
permissions on the tables.

Security FAQ
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=207793

You can secure the tables without users needing to login. See
http://www.jmwild.com/SecureNoLogin.htm

Thanks, Joan. I'll look through the information om your web site and see if
it fits my needs.

Carl

 

[Tim Ferguson]

Thanks, Joan. I'll look through the information om your web site and
see if it fits my needs.

Just to add an easier method:- you could show your users MS Query. This
is part of the default Office install (look for MSQuery32.exe) but there
is no shortcut created unless you make one yourself. Although it's
possible to write data-altering queries with it, it's not easy and
someone with that expertise can probably do it just as easily using Excel
or VB on their own. Basically, you get a full graphical query designer
with no work on your part!

You can combine the two if you like, with user level security protecting
the data and Query providing the user interface.

Hope that helps


Tim F

 

[Carl Rapson]

Just to add an easier method:- you could show your users MS Query. This
is part of the default Office install (look for MSQuery32.exe) but there
is no shortcut created unless you make one yourself. Although it's
possible to write data-altering queries with it, it's not easy and
someone with that expertise can probably do it just as easily using Excel
or VB on their own. Basically, you get a full graphical query designer
with no work on your part!

You can combine the two if you like, with user level security protecting
the data and Query providing the user interface.

Hope that helps


Tim F

Thanks Tim, I hadn't though of MS Query. I'll look into that also.

Carl