Multiple Users for Access 2003 Database

[Alaska1]

I have a Database in MS Access 2003 on a network... I need to have more than one person working in the database at one time. What is the best way to set this up?

[Robeen]

You should research 'Split Database' and 'Make Executable' & 'mde'.

What you'll be wanting to do is split your database into a back end [which contains all your Tables] and a Front End which has all the functionality of your database.

You could put the Back End on your Network and then put a copy of the front end /executable on each of the users' machines.

If your users don't have MS Access installed, you will have to install the MS Access Runtime on the machines so that you can run the application on the machine even without MS Access being installed.

Microsoft has good documentation of all these topics.

Let us know if you have questions.

[Alaska1]

Thank you...I will try to spilt the database...is that the only way to do it?

[Robeen]

I don't know if it is the only way to do this. Sorry!

But I believe it may be and also that it is often recommended here on this forum and also by Microsoft - for the purposes that you mention.

Make sure you read Microsoft's instructions well before you split your database.
Specifically, make a backup copy of your database before you split it.
And make a copy of your database before you turn it into an executable [so that you can make modifications to the database later]. Make your executable from the copy - so that you still have the original to work with.

Microsoft has very good help on these topics on line.
And it is not diffucult to do.

All the best!

[Alaska1]

Thank you...here is the link I am using from microsoft to spilt the database.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304932

[Robeen]

I read through the link and though the one time I had to split a database was about a year ago and it was Access 2010, the principles are the same and it sounds just as easy to do with the other versions.

All the best!!