Generic Filepath on Network Drive

[noboffinme]

Hi

I have some modules that send Access Text to several Powerpoint presentation templates & I need to have all users be able to access these Powerpoint files.

In the code, I've set the path as a Network drive path "G:\FilepathName\Filename.ppt" etc but this won't work for other users as they will have named their drive perhaps differently for the drive letter "G" in this case, maybe calling theirs "R:\FilepathName\Filename.ppt".

Is it possible to include a hyperlink to replace the network drive path or should I get all users to change their drive letter to 'G'?

Thanks

 

[ChrisO]

You could try variations of: -

\\YOUR SERVER NAME\FilepathName\Filename.ppt

 

[noboffinme]

Thanks ChrisO

I'll give it a try tomorrow at work, have you tried this successfully yourself?

 

[ChrisO]

I’ve tested it under many different circumstances and it works fine.

You should be able to test it a home by substituting your computer name.

Example for linked BE: -

\\COB\C\Test\BE.mdb

 

[Galaxiom]

The UNC path works fine. However it can be a pain if the data moves to another server for whatever reason.

At the very least include the location of the file as a Constant at the top of the procedure (or Module if used in multiple procedures, or as a Global constant if appropriate). This gets it down to one change and redistribution of the FE.

Another alternative is to store the path in a table in the backend database. One change and no redistribute required when these files move.

However I prefer the situation on a domain. Use Group Policy to limit UNC access to Admins only with others getting all mappings under the control of Group Policy. This ensures consistency and mapped drives work great.

 

[noboffinme]

Thanks ChrisO & GalaxiomatHome

GalaxiomatHome, if I used the option to enter the path in a table in the db, wouldn't I need to add the UNC path name & not the normal path "G:\...." etc as it would fail?

The db currently isn't split, it just sits on a shared Network Drive & if I add my path to the Powerpoint files, another user would get a 'Cannot locate file error", so I need a 'one size fits all' path for all users that have access to the drive.

I think ChrisO has the answer although I've never tried this method.

I do like the idea of storing the UNC path in a db table though.

Do you think storing the UNC path in a db table would achieve what I need?

 

[Galaxiom]

Firstly, before you do anything else, split your database. It is a disaster waiting to happen in its current form. Splitting is not complex and takes very little time.

However I agree you certainly would not offer different paths for each user just because they use different mappings. Users should really come to some consistent mapping conventions.

Most of what I posted refers to best practice for working with UNC paths so they cause the least problems when they move.

In fact even when using a mapped drive it is a good idea to set the drive and path to constants. A drive and path somewhere way down in the code can be hard to spot as the problem.

I often use separate constants for ServerName and FilePath.

 

[noboffinme]

Thanks to both for your help!

It works fine, didn't know it was that easy, Cheers