data dictionary

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

How do I create a Data Dictionary report (table name and description + column
name and description) from either Access or Visio after the database has been
reverse engineered?
 
in message:
How do I create a Data Dictionary report (table name and description + column
name and description) from either Access or Visio after the database has been
reverse engineered?
Click to expand...

Here are a few options for you,

1. You can use the built-in Access Documentor
(Tools | Analyze | Documentor) to get a huge list of just about everything
you ever wanted to know about the database. At the same time, you can
keep the logging and paper manufacturing industry going strong in Oregon!
Depending upon the options you select, you could fell several trees.
:-)

2. I created an Access Add-In called the "John Viescas Table Documentor"
that does exactly this. It is even easier to use than the built-in Access
Documentor and creates a slick report that will list each table (including
linked ones) and their field properties in an easy-to-read format. I recently
finished Version 2.0 of the add-in. This version even works on MDE files.

Once installed (takes less than a minute) all you have to do is
Tools | Add-Ins | John Viescas Table Documentor. Poof!
After a few seconds a slick report is displayed on the screen. Easy as pie!

The report will list each Field Name, Description, Type, Length, and which
field(s) compose the Primary Key.

The display output will be something like this:

Table: tblVendors
Field Name: Description Type Length Primary
VendorID ID Field Autonumber 4 X
VendorName Vendor's Name Text 50
etc...

Will this work for you?

I am awaiting word back from John about the possibility of having him post
it on his web site where anyone can download it. In the meantime, I do not
believe he would have a problem if I sent you a copy. If you do wish to have
a copy please let me know where you would like it sent to (please mung the
e-mail address so you won't get spammed!). There is one version for Access
97 and one for 2000 which works with Access 2000, 2002, and 2003.
I will need to know which version you need.

3. David Hare-Scott has also written a simple table documenter. You can
download it here:
http://www.rogersaccesslibrary.com/OtherLibraries.asp#Hare-Scott,David

4. Armen Stein has something here as well:
http://www.jstreettech.com/cartgenie/pg_developerDownloads.asp
(Look for Data Dictionary Report Utility)

Hope that gives you some ideas,
 
This helped - thank you. Only thing that would be better is if I could
generate a simple data dictionary report (like the ones mentioned) from
Visio's reverse engineered data model - any ideas here?

Thanks
 
in message:
This helped - thank you. Only thing that would be better is if I could
generate a simple data dictionary report (like the ones mentioned) from
Visio's reverse engineered data model - any ideas here?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I have no experience with Visio as of yet so I will
not be able to advise you on that question. Perhaps someone with
Visio experience can jump in and advise on that subject.

You might also take a look at this link:

http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/thirdparty.htm

Look in the area called "Case Tools." Perhaps something
there can help you as well.

Good luck,
 
Found nothing that works from the Visio side, but thanks for the tip. BTW,
would you please send me a copy of the 'John Viescas Table Documentor' 2000
version, at my email gowsly @ Comcast . net when you get the chance?
 
in message:
Found nothing that works from the Visio side, but thanks for the tip.
Click to expand...

No problem.
Did you try posting a question in one of the Visio newsgroups?
Perhaps someone there may be be able to assist as well. A quick
Google search in that group led to some interesting threads. I'm
not sure if any of them will help, but worth a look:

http://groups-beta.google.com/group...scoring=d&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&num=10&

If that link gets wrapped up too bad, try this shorter one instead:

http://tinyurl.com/c8dm9
BTW, would you please send me a copy of the 'John Viescas Table Documentor' 2000
version, at my email <snipped> when you get the chance?
Click to expand...

Sure, I'd be happy to send along a copy.
I will do that shortly.

Please post back here so I know you received the files.
 
Found nothing that works from the Visio side,
Click to expand...

My impression was that this comes with Visio Enterprise, but not with the
lesser mortal versions.

All the best


Tim F
 
My apologies Jeff, I mis-typed my own email. Please make that gowsley @ (the
rest was correct).

I did look on the Visio discussion side but found nothing for the version I
am running - not even someone's spiffy utility. Currently looking into a
version of Visio? enterprise architect that comes with visual studio.net
 
in message:
My apologies Jeff, I mis-typed my own email. Please make that gowsley @ (the
rest was correct).
Click to expand...

Ohh, Ok.
I will try and re-send them.
Let me know when you receive the files.
I did look on the Visio discussion side but found nothing for the version I
am running - not even someone's spiffy utility. Currently looking into a
version of Visio? enterprise architect that comes with visual studio.net
Click to expand...

Tim may be correct that you have to have the Enterprise version.
 
Received your email, extracted, and installed. Works great! I like the
constant availability of the add-in approach once installed. Thanks.
 
It appears there is a "Visio-based", Database Modeling tool that is in the
Visual Studio.NET 2003 Architect edition of Visual Studio. It has round-trip
engineering capabilities, but I am not sure if it has a simple
data-dictionary report. That is really my main goal.
 
in message :
Received your email, extracted, and installed. Works great! I like the
constant availability of the add-in approach once installed. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Excellent, I'm glad to hear my add-in works great for you!
Thanks for the feedback and good luck with your projects.
 
Back
Top