Question Multiple users

[Manic_Rach]

Hi guys,

I'm building a database and by the end of it I want to be able to have multiple users updating on it simultaneously. Reading up on Access, it looks as though at the minute if one person is updating the database, anyone else who opens the database can only view it as "read-only".

Would database splitter solve my problem? and if so could anyone explain how the database splitter works?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Rachel

 

[gemma-the-husky]

no - it's NOT like a spreadsheet - all users can update at the same time. However, this is not a good idea

but it's probably like the accounts system in your office. the data files are held in one place (on a netwrok), and programme is held in another (on your PC)

so although access CAN work with the programme and the tables all in one, it isn't the best way.

the best way is this.

split the database - so the tables are in one, and everything else in another. You can just copy the database, and delete manually to do this, if you want (some tables need to left in the programme database - it depends how it works, the ones to move are the shared data tables)

link the programme database to the tables
you can do this manually as well (file/get external data/link tables)

because we do this a lot, we all have tools to manage this process - but it's all doable manually.

now EACH user ought to have his own copy of the programme database

-------
do it this way, and you can change the programmes on your own copy, and send a new version to all the users - without causing any problems anywhere. because the programme is independent of the data.

 

[Manic_Rach]

Thanks Dave, that's really helpful. So if I do this I will end up with a front end interface for the users, and a back end databse for the tables?

 

[gemma-the-husky]

yes - the backend is normally on a server, so everyone can access it.

 

[boblarson]

And a COPY of the frontend is on EACH user's machine. And if you want to not have to deal with getting each user an updated copy of the frontend each time you make changes, you can look into using my free Frontend Auto Update Enabling tool which can set up your front end to automatically update when you deploy a new version. See my Access Tools link on my website (in my signature below).

 

[Manic_Rach]

Bob, will that tool work on Access 2010?

 

[boblarson]

Bob, will that tool work on Access 2010?

It should work fine. It works in 2007 and should work in 2010. I've not had anyone tell me yet that it doesn't. I guess I should change that bit on the website which says Now Includes 2007 to something a little less specific.

 

[Manic_Rach]

well i'll definitely give it a try