I need to modify the database by adding one field to three tables.
What is the best course of action?
1. Should I make a copy of the database and work on it offline?
2. Should take the database offline and make the changes?
I just started working in this office and it's not a front-end/back-
end system. Thank you in advance...
Take the opportunity to split the database. If it's used by more than one
person THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.
You will need exclusive access to the database to make the changes; I'd
suggest:
1. Make a backup.
2. Make another backup.
3. Test both backups and verify that they are functional.
4. Make a copy of the database.
5. Open the copy exclusively and make the changes.
6. Run the Database Splitter Wizard or split the database manually (see
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/splitapp.htm for instructions and a
discussion).
7. Test your forms, reports, queries etc. and modify them as needed to display
and use the newly added fields.
8. Put the new backend (database_BE.mdb) in a shared folder to which all users
have read, write, and delete access.
9. Relink the frontend to this new location using Tools... Database
Utilities... Linked Table Manager.
10. Distribute the frontend to the users.
Ideally you'll be able to keep users from making data changes in the current
database while you're doing steps 4-8; if not it may be necessary to redo the
changes or import the modified tables into the new backend, which (since the
table structure is changing) could be a real chore.
--
John W. Vinson [MVP]
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