I'm using Windows NT (networked) and have created a form to gain access to many MS Word docs, which form an information system at work. I've made sure the form is 'SHARED' not 'EXCLUSIVE' and have created 2 user groups, one with 'change' facilities and the other with 'Read'. The problem is that only one user can access at a time. If a second user tries to access the form they are met with an error message telling them that the form is being used and to wait until the session is finished. HELP!?!

Creating multi-user applications is generally achieved by splitting the database. Access has a database splitter feature that is available from the Tools menu.

The tables are stred on the server and the forms are local to each user.

Please note you will still get sharing violatuions if 2 people try writing to the record at the same time. Use the Access help features to learn about this.

All the users need read/update/create/delete permissions for the directory on the NT server where the db is stored.

Access uses an .ldb file to maintain record locks and keep track of who is changing what. This file is automatically created by the first user that opens the db and deleted by the last user and updated by those in between. If Access cannot properly work with the .ldb file because the user's network permissions are insufficient, it will only open the db in exclusive mode.