What to do when people have different operating systems, but one app?

[itm]

Hi,
I have an MS Access 2007 (32 Bit) application sitting on a share. The problemis that some of the users are getting Windows 7 (64 bit) machines and othersstill have XP machines. When I try to open it on the Windows 7 machines the apperrors out. I think if I remember right I get a type mismatch message, I foundthat I have to change some of the references and it then works. Particularlythe ADO I have to change to a higher one, but then naturally it does not workfor the people on XP machines; and both have to be able to go in here to viewand update data.



So, I was wondering what I can do so that it works for everyone?

Thank you
itm

[JoeM]

Split the database into a Front End and Back End. You can actually have multiple front-ends tying back to the same back end. So you can have different versions of the front-ends for the different environments. Typically, you distribute the front-end to each user, so they each have their own copy of the front-end that they run. This also greatly helps prevent database errors and corruption.

[itm]

Hi,
Thanks for your help.
Just to be sure though, when you say front end back end, you are saying to compile it in one format and create a ACCDE, and compile it in another ACCDE and give the users the different ACCDE's accordingly?

[JoeM]

No, not quite. Splitting it means that all data tables are located in a central database located somewhere on the network (back-end). The front-end contains all queries, forms, reports, and VBA code. All the tables are links to the tables on the back-end database. If you look at Access's built-in help files, there are instructions on how to split your database (it will do most of it for you).

However, even though it is not part of the front-end/back-end split, you will also want to do what you mentioned, creating compiled versions of your different front-ends to distribute to the users.

[itm]

Okay, I can see what you are saying, that sounds great.
Thank you
itm