Back tracing in an existing database

[meridithdawn]

I have an old acess database that is at least 8 years old. The original creator is no longer with the company. I need to know where the calculations in the tables and reports are coming from (i.e. where the data is being pulled from and how it is calculated.) I'm lost! Please Help!!

[apr pillai]

It is difficult to suggest to follow a certain pattern to reverse engineer someone else logic. Reports are the main objects for sharing information. Depending on the complexity of data processing to bring the raw information into the Report the developer may use a series of Queries sequensed through macros, temporary tables (or may use separate report tables as Report Source), VBA Routines etc.

In these circumstance the best approach is to start from the Report Source data object and from there track the path backwards.

Don't forget to take some paper and pen/pencil and draw a flow-chart (process diagram, if you like, listing object type, name and output objects ) for each step and progress backwards.

The diagram will be helpful, otherwise you may loose your way half way through.

[meridithdawn]

I have found which tables the reports are pulling from. What I am unable to do is trace where the tables are pulling their data from.

Any thoughts on how to backtrace tables?

[apr pillai]

You are not clear about the specifics of your problem. You are refering to some data fields (not all fields) which have values coming from somewhere else and you are not able to trace it's origin, is that right? If it is so then it is likely that a Listbox/Combobox with the source data coming from some other table attached to that field. To find out from which table (or query) do the following:

1. Open the Table in Design View to display the structure.
2. Select the field to trace the source data.
3. You will find the Property Sheet below with General and Lookup tabs.
4. Select the Lookup tab.
5. Click on the Display Control (here the deafult option is Text Box).
6. You will two more options, List Box and Combobox.
7. Select List Box or Combobox and check the Row Source Type and Row Source Values.

If the tables you are refering to are linked tables (from external sources like dBase, Foxpro, Excel etc.) then you can find the source locations by selecting Linked Table Manager from Database Tools Menu. The list of Tables linked to your database will be displayed.