Copy Database

[Sarah Byrne]

This is probably a stupid question I no but I need to ask before I do it.

I want to make a copy of an address database that we use, delete all of the addresses and start fresh for a separate company.

I have simply "saved as" and changed the name so that there are 2.

If I start deleting things from the copy database, will it delete from the original?

Like I said I no it sounds stupid but theres 1300 + addresses that I cannot afford to delete.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Sarah

 

[plog]

As long as the tables are all within the database itself (not linked) you will be fine. Here's a way to convince yourself:

1. Make a copy of your database.
2. Open the backup and Excel.
3. Open a table you want to delete and select 1 record.
4. Copy that record to Excel.
5. Delete that record from the Copy database.
6. Close the Copy database.
7. Open the original database and find the record you just deleted.

If its there, all will be fine and you can go back to the Copy and delete to your heart's content. If it's not, you can always restore it from Excel.

 

[Sarah Byrne]

I didn't do that and just deleted 165 addresses :-( I have no patience lol. Im just going to pretend I didn't just do that.

Is there any way to make a complete copy without deleting anything from the original?

I didn't make the programme and I did access a little while ago but I cant remember the business with the relationships and the query's to make another one from scratch.

 

[Sarah Byrne]

As long as the tables are all within the database itself (not linked) you will be fine. Here's a way to convince yourself:

Oh they are all linked with a few different databases that we use, I think that's why ive lost those addresses from another database as well :banghead:

 

[plog]

I usually go into windows explorer, right click copy, right click paste and then rename it.

 

[Sarah Byrne]

Without sounding stupid again, what is windows explorer? Sorry ive been trying to make this from scratch all day and had the "genius" idea of copying it and now my head has turned to mush!

 

[plog]

Never used Windows 8, so for all other instances you right click on what's traditionally known as the Start button (aka Windows button on the task bar) and click on 'Open Windows Explorer'. Then navigate to the directory with your database and follow my prior instructions.

 

[Sarah Byrne]

So if I cant delete from the copy which has proven right, how would I make a completely separate copy database that doesn't effect any of the other databases? if that's at all possible? Its currently saved on a server so I thought by saving it to my desktop would be safe but I was so very very wrong

Thanks for your help Plog

 

[Sarah Byrne]

If I only copy the structure (without the data) will this copy over the macros, relationships and query's also?

 

[plog]

Copy the structure? If you do like I said through windows explorer you will make an exact copy of your existing database. Then you can go in and delete your data.

 

[Sarah Byrne]

That didn't work :-(

I added an address to see if it would add it to the original and It did

Any other way or is it not possible?

 

[plog]

You've completely lost me in what you are trying to do. Do you want a copy or do you want to work with the original?

From your original post:

I want to make a copy of an address database that we use, delete all of the addresses and start fresh for a separate company.

Is that no longer the objective?

 

[Sarah Byrne]

Yes I want another database which is the same as the original but I still need the data from the original.

So I want 2 of the same database but I want to be able to delete the information in the copy and add new addresses but I want to keep the addresses in the original.

When I copy the database, it just makes 2 but there still linked together, so whatever changes I make in the copy it does in the original. i.e. deleting 165 addresses.

Sorry I have been told I don't explain myself well.

Thanks for your patience and your help

Sarah

 

[plog]

Then it sounds like you have linked tables. You need to make them local tables. For easy reference sake let's call the original O and the copy C. After you make a new C database, Here's what you do:

Delete all linked tables in C
Open O and copy all the linked tables
In C, paste the tables, but select the option that makes them local

Do that and you should have what you want.

 

[Sarah Byrne]

Thank you for your help Plog.

I have realised as well that I could email it over to the other server so they don't connect and do it that way Sorry my head really has turned to mush

Sarah