Making changes to front end.

[OrangePie]

Hello,

I am using an Access 2003 database with a Backend (BE) and a Front End.

I'd like to make some changes with some of the forms in the FE. I am doing this by taking a backed-up version of the database (from 2010), and making the changes to the forms.

I am wondering if since the backed-up version is almost a year old, will i loose any data if i make this old front end my .MDE?

I know most of the tables are stored in the BE, but I'm not sure all of them are. (Some may be new tables that were made in the front end. I'm not sure).



I understand this is a confusing question. Can anybody offer some advice?

Thanks,
--Jeff

[drexasaurus]

The front end usually has it's data separate from the back end. At times, there may be local tables for things like validation data (the proper possible entries for a field) or preferences, but a well-designed database keeps all the data that's liable to change in the back end.

That being said, you can tell the back end tables (linked tables) from the front end. I use a different version of Access, but from memory, in your version it's the same. The tables on the front end are listed first, and the linked tables usually have an arrow or some other symbol to indicate the difference.

You can change the forms without changing the tables--unless of course the forms make themselves make unwanted changes, but unless you are using difficult code you're pretty safe. Just make a back-up of both files first to be safe, and try to research what you are doing first unless this is purely educational.

[OrangePie]

Thanks drexasaurus,

I successfully made the changes. Now, I'm looking to update the database for all the users to switch to.

How would I go about distributing this new version?

We have a "Version Number" table in the database. It's linked to the number in the header, as well as our "Start screen". Should i just update those numbers, then make a new MDE?

I've done that once before, and i believe is said something along the lines of "Make sure all users are logged of the database. An update needs to be performed." Will that happen again?

Thanks!

--Jeff

[drexasaurus]

This sounds more like a scenario linked to your own database, not with access in general. If your database has a automatic deployment method, that was created by who ever designed the database in the first place so I can't tell you how to deploy that database. You would have to look at the code and figure that out.

Otherwise, you would have to manually redistribute it.

If you knew VBA and needed to design a distribution system, this is where I originally got help:
http://www.databasejournal.com/featu...ess-Client.htm

[boblarson]

Thanks drexasaurus,

I successfully made the changes. Now, I'm looking to update the database for all the users to switch to.

How would I go about distributing this new version?

We have a "Version Number" table in the database. It's linked to the number in the header, as well as our "Start screen". Should i just update those numbers, then make a new MDE?

I've done that once before, and i believe is said something along the lines of "Make sure all users are logged of the database. An update needs to be performed." Will that happen again?

You can use my FREE frontend auto update enabling tool to turn your frontend into one which auto updates just by you changing the version numbers. Check it out (and read the documentation) here:
http://www.btabdevelopment.com/ts/freetools