How do you reconnect a frontend and backend once it is split

[Jimcb8]

I split my database, putting the tables, backend, on a server and put a frontend, for each user, on their laptops to access the data.

A glitch came up that requires a change to one of the table spec.

I want to be able to prohibit a blank ClientId field from being written to a table.
I thought I would add a validation rule to prevent this from occuring.
The rule is NOT------& where - represents a blank space(6).
Would this rule work?

When I tried to test this change I got a message that the tables were linked and could not be changed.
1)How do I unlink tables, make the change and relink tables
2)Can I take a backend and a frontend and combine them to create one database again, like it existed before the split?
3) Is this validation rule correct?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Jim

 

[KenHigg]

You should be able to edit a table as long as no one has it open in a front end - ?

 

[Pat Hartman]

You don't need to unlink tables to make changes. You just need to open the BE and make the changes there. Close all the FEs entirely while you are making table changes in the BE. You don't want someone trying to access a table you are changing. One thing that I do to make sure people stay out if I have to make schema changes during normal work hours is to make sure everyone is out (the lock file will disappear). Then rename the BE database. This will prevent anyone from jumping the gun and getting back in before I am ready since their links will fail. Don't forget to back up before making changes.

The change to make is to check the box that makes the field required. Do not use a validation rule for this.

 

[Jimcb8]

Pat,

Thanks so much for you help, I really appreciate it.
I am new to Access and I am reading my manual as I go along.
The system I wrote is for my church, which runs a Food Pantry, so a lot of people will be helped, thanks to your kindness.

Thanks again,

Jim

 

[Pat Hartman]

My pleasure