How to Set a Linked Access Table to Read Only

[Ganymede]

I have a database (database1) that contains a linked table from another database (database2). I want to modify the table so that it is read-only in database1.



My instinct was to open the linked table manager, select the linked table, hit the edit button, and change the IMEX property to 1. I understand that is the read-only property.

But when I open the linked table manager and select the linked table, the "Edit" button is greyed out. So I am unable to change the IMEX property.

Is there another way to accomplish the same result?

[Micron]

You can't make a table read only. Make a query that returns the records from the table and set its dataset type to Snapshot. Since users should not be seeing the navigation pane then they won't be able to get around this - provided you take precautions that prevent them from opening the nav pane.

EDIT- another option is to put a table into another db file and make the file read only. However, if you do this with the table that is in db1, then no one can edit the table in db1 either (it would now be linked to this new db file). If you copy the table into db2 you have the problem of the copy table getting out of sync with the original table. I've never tried, but I imagine you could link to the table in this new file and make the file read only. Lastly, the idea of making a table read only suggests to me that there is something being missed here. With proper design and db setup, you should not need to do this at all. Making something "read only" should be based on user permissions.

[Gicu]

See this thread:
https://www.access-programmers.co.uk...y-mode.320510/
and this one:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/...able-read-only
Cheers,

[isladogs]

By default, a linked Excel table is read only. In this case, IMEX = 2
To make a linked Excel table editable, see my article: Edit Linked Excel Data from Access
Linked CSV files are ALWAYS read only

In fact, it is possible to make any local or linked table read only by using table constraints - see attached example
This will still work if the table is linked
However the table constraint approach is very obscure and I wouldn't recommend using it.

As users should never have direct access to tables (or queries) from the navigation pane, you should just use a form and make that read only using the property sheet or a read only recordset.

[Ganymede]

Thank you all! Marking as solved.

(I was able to get around this by setting the form as read only. So it doesn't matter that the table is read/write.)