Configuring Database for Simultaneous Use by Multiple Users

[Sonny Jim]

As a novice Access developer I've created a few small databases but I haven't been successful enabling the databases I have created to be used by more than one user at the same time. Here are a few details to share:

- the "Default Open Mode" for all the users is "Shared", "Default Record Locking" is set to "No Locks", & the "Default File Format" is set to "Access 2000"
- the databases have been created using Access XP 2002, but being run on Access XP 2003
- one database is shared on the Windows XP platform using "Remote Desktop Connection", 2 people assigned to data entry (company employs under 20 people)
- another is shared through a network, using Windows XP, residing on a shared folder on a desktop computer (this is for a company that employs 6 people, two of which use the database)

What have I over looked?

 

[pbaldy]

Conventional wisdom is that any application shared by multiple users should be split into a back end containing the data residing on the network and a front end containing forms, reports etc residing on each user's PC. More info here:

http://allenbrowne.com/ser-01.html

 

[Sonny Jim]

I should have mentioned it, but both databases are split into a front end (all objects except for tables) and a back end (tables). Thanks for the help and the website, that's a great site!

 

[boblarson]

I should have mentioned it, but both databases are split into a front end (all objects except for tables) and a back end (tables). Thanks for the website.

As Paul mentioned, the front end, of which you speak, a copy needs to be on EACH person's computer, not shared. If the mdb file is shared, then pain and suffering will occur. It raises the risk of corruption of the front end mdb file, If one person has different settings you can have sharing/locking issues and possible Reference issues.

Give each user their own copy of the front end and things should run smoother.

 

[Sonny Jim]

Right! I understand now. I aim to steer away from as much pain and suffering in my growth as possible. Thanks much gentlemen!