Microsoft Access: Networking Made Simple

Set up a simple network to share data with Microsoft Access by sharing a data folder, explore optimistic record locking, and introduce the front end back end approach.

Learn how to split a Microsoft Access database into front end and back end to reduce network traffic, using the splitter wizard to place tables in the back end.

split the database manually by creating a front end and a back end, importing and linking tables between them, and preparing backups before network deployment.

Set up the back end on the server by copying it to the data folder. Link back end to front end via external data and run a time trial.

Propagate the front end from the local machine to the server and across multiple computers, preserving data links and enabling efficient updates network-wide.

Implement a front-end update check in a networked Access app by comparing workstation and server versions and forcing updates when the server version is newer.

build a vrba update test subroutine that runs on open, using a function to compare station and server versions via a recordset and show a version mismatch message.

Finish the update test subroutine by comparing server and station versions via an if statement, showing a message box when needed, and saving as a startup module for auto exec.

Create and test an autoexec macro in Access to run a function, debug runtime errors, and prepare an update database to copy updated front end from server to local computer.

Create the update database to copy the front end from the server to local machines, triggering updates via version changes and storing the server path and database name.

Create a do update function in a module, dim the database and recordset, and open the settings table to perform a server-to-local copy with a yes/no confirmation and hourglass.

Finish building the update function verifies server and local databases, concatenates paths, checks file existence, deletes the local copy, copies from server, and signals completion.

Create the autoexec macro to run the update, test front-end deployment from the server, and fix the missing quit command; prepare a work copy for safe testing.

Learn how to distribute access updates across a network by copying the update to the server shared folder, creating client shortcuts, and running the update to refresh the front end.

Set up a work folder and data table list in Access, duplicate the front end and back ends, and use a VBA macro to remove links for testing.

Create a dell table VBA subroutine that drops each listed table to remove links, with error trapping and an error handler, preparing a remove links function for the next lecture.

Create a remove links function in VBA for Access. It prompts for a password via an input box, loops through data table list, deletes each table, and confirms when finished.

Build and test a remove links macro, link the back end on the network, and update both front end and server to version 1.0.2, ensuring the update runs across workstations.

Configure the same work group on all computers and set up the central shared folder on the server computer, then restart each computer, following Windows 7 and Windows 10 steps.

Enable network discovery and file and print sharing in Windows 7 and Windows 10 by adjusting advanced sharing settings, turning on public folder sharing, and saving changes.

Set up a shared folder on the F drive with advanced sharing and full control for everyone, then test access from another computer and update the database from the host.

Explain what Access runtime is, a free version of Access for running programs built with Access. Show how to download the 32- or 64-bit runtime that matches your Office installation.

Verify a 64-bit Windows system, download the Access runtime 64-bit from Microsoft, and complete the setup to run Access databases with runtime.

Test runtime by updating the front end from a data folder on a Windows seven server, open forms like customer and order, and observe runtime hiding the navigation pane.

Learn to save a front end as a compiled acda/accde database to prevent editing of programming code, while ensuring you retain a copy of the original database for network use.

Switch the update to the accde compiled database, copy both update and accde files to the data folder, and rely on server checks to replace the local database on workstations.

Learn how Microsoft Access shares data, handles record locking, and splits databases into front and back ends, with linking, multi-front-end networks, and Vba update routines.