Multiple User Access

[Matt]

I have placed an .mdb file on a shared server so that multiple users in my
office can access it. I just wondered what I would need to do to allow
multiple users to have the database open at the same time? Currently it is
locking it when in use by one person.

I am using Access 2003.

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

Every user needs a minimum of Read and Write permissions on the folder where
the MDB file exists. This is because Access wants to create a locking file
(.LDB) in that folder when the first user makes a connection. Subsequent
users need to be able to update that locking file. It's usual to also give
the users Delete permission, so that Access can delete the locking file when
the last user connection is closed.

 

[Matt]

Thanks Douglas, hopefully this will solve the problem when I go back to work

 

[Ken Sheridan]

The other thing you should do, if you have not done so already, is split the
database into front and back ends, the former containing the tables only, the
latter the forms, reports queries etc. and links to the tables in the back
end. You can use the built in Database Splitter Wizard to do this.

The Back end is then installed on the server and a separate copy of the
front end on each user's local machine. The built in Linked Table manager
can be used to refresh the links to the back end in the front end if you
first create the back end on a local machine and then move it to the server.

While it is possible for multiple users to open a single file combining both
front and back ends or separate front and back ends both located on the
server its not recommended. Users will of course still need the necessary
permissions to the folder in which the back end is located.

Ken Sheridan
Stafford, England