file format options for saving access database

  • Thread starter Thread starter brandi
  • Start date Start date
B

brandi

Can anyone tell me if it's possible to download and save
an access database (server-based) to a format other than
a PDF.

I want to download and save to a RW CD-ROM in excel or
other microsoft office format and have been told it can't
be done. Since I have access I thought there might be a
way.

I would appreciate any insights (and directions.

brandi
 
Brandi,
It is not clear what you want to do. What is your ultimate goal?
if you just want to archive/backup your access db, you could just copy the
mdb to the CD
but I suppose you already know that and have something else in mind.

HS
 
Can anyone tell me if it's possible to download and save
an access database (server-based) to a format other than
a PDF.
Click to expand...

I was not aware that you COULD save an Access database as a PDF.

An Access Database is a complex file, containing (usually) multiple
Tables, Queries, Forms, Reports, Modules and Macros. It is *not* a
document in the sense that a Word document is, for example - even a
Word file containing VBA code is of simpler structure than a database.

Could you explain the context? What are you trying to accomplish? Do
you want to save the *data in* an Access table, or do you want to save
the database container itself?
 
HS - thanks for the reply. The database is a directory
with monthly updates. I want a format for
adding/deleting and making my own notes in the
directory. Hope that helps you help me!

Brandi
 
Dear John,

Thanks for your reply. The database is a directory for
which I receive monthly updates (via paper). I want to
save the database to a format on a CDRW so I can update
the changes and toss the paper + add notes, etc. Does
that help you better understand?

Thanks,
Brandi
 
John thanks again for your reply. The database is a
directory for an organization and sits on a server. I
have not access to the server and do not have the option
to keep it on my hardrive. I've been offered a pdf. I
find PDF a very inconvenient format. I want to be able
to personalize my own copy with notes, updates, etc -
right now my choice is paper (1,000 pages +) or pdf.

I'm not sure I understand what's involved in saving it to
a PDF vs. an Excel spread sheet. I have Access Office is
that will help the process. I'm told it will take
substantial programming effort to make this happen around
this and they are unwilling - I'm questioning whether or
not that's accurate. Can you share some additional
insights around this?

Thank you.
..
 
John, again thanks! I know a database is NOT a document
which is why I'm a little confused myself and thus,
asking for help. If you can import the database with a
PDF output - I don't understand why you couldn't have
say, an Excel output - so your insight into
the "bureaucratic vs.technical" is on! I figured if I
could give them an "easy-to-use" primer on how to output
to excel at their site then save it to a CDRW (I know
they won't forward the database to me), I might be able
to get what I need. In the absence of that, I'm stuck.
But I'll give it one more shot based on the info you
shared and see how far I get.

Thanks again.

Brandi
 
I figured if I
could give them an "easy-to-use" primer on how to output
to excel at their site then save it to a CDRW (I know
they won't forward the database to me), I might be able
to get what I need.
Click to expand...

Do you know what database software is being used on this server? Is it
an Access database, a SQL database, XML, MySQL, or what?
 
Ok, this is finally making sense. So, you have a list of names in your
organization,
and you want Contact management software - (Also called Relationship
Management)
so that you can look up names, add your notes, documents, reminders etc for
easy tracking.

see www.act.com and http://www.frontrange.com/goldmine/
These very affordable programs (ACT! US$229 and Goldmine $150)
offer a tremendous amount of functionality. Of course there are many more
such as Siebel and Microsoft CRM that offer even more functionality...

It is evident that your organization has strict policies on data
dissemination and computer usage -
(local storage disallowed and limited Server access). That is a tough
battle to fight. Still, all is not lost.
Some level of contact management is built into many products such as:
* Microsoft Outlook
* Accounting software from Peachtree and Quickbooks all the way to the
high end
Perhaps you can take advantage of that functionality.

If not, you have build your case and justify the purchase of contact
management software.
Yes, it is a substantial effort to do what you want in Access, nor is there
any need to do it.

Re A DATABASE IS NOT A DOCUMENT:
Anything can be a database.

The term Database is often used loosely to mean anything that contains data.
This looser meaning was often used by non-techies, but the technical world
is coming around to validating that thinking.
With ADO and ADO.Net we have a plethora of possibilities - Even the humble
file system can be treated just like a database
(and in a future version of windows, the file system will be a modified SQL
Server database)
and there is the ability to connect to any number of Data Providers such as
Exchange etc.

Good luck
HS
 
John - I didn't realize there was an additional reply
from you so the message I may not be necessary.

To answer your question regarding the database, all I
know is that it's in an Access Database and their note
back to me was "The directory is designed to be a pdf
report. It's an Access program designed for our
database. The database itself doesn't produce a report
with all the directory information on it, so in order to
fill your request we would have to do additional
programming."

Here is some additional information that might tell you
if it's an SQL database, XML, MySQL, or what?

1.Properties for the online directory:

Protocol: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
Type: HTML
The address has a .cfm extension with an http address
formatted as follows:
http://memberresources.thexxxclub.com/source/Members/cMemb
erSearch.cfm
Size: 48257 bytes
Not encrypted

2. If I do a directory "search" and click on Properties
the address is: CFM?SECTION=CUSTOMER File

3. The member file section is:cMemberDisplay.cfm?ID=1234
and the Properties "type" is: CFM?ID=1234

4. Another section is Events andt the section properties
are: cMeetingProcessSearch.cfm?section=events

Let me know if this gives you any clues.

Brandi
 
brandi said:
HS - Thank you very much for getting back to me. I
appreciate the information. At the risk of pushing this
just one more step . . . I did understand what you
shared. The directory information is open to me as a
member - the issue now is format. So, is it possible to
import the diretory list (as is exists and formatted in
the available PDF document) to excel or even Word without
much trouble? I also have ACCESS on my computer (Windows
XP - Office)in case I didn't make that clear.
Click to expand...

If what is available to you is a PDF then Access is no longer involved. They are
taking the data in the database and using it to produce a PDF document. You can't
work backward from the PDF file to get to the original Access database. The only
thing I know of that can take a PDF and pull the text out of it is the full version
of Acrobat which you've already indicated you don't want to purchase.
 
To answer your question regarding the database, all I
know is that it's in an Access Database and their note
back to me was "The directory is designed to be a pdf
report. It's an Access program designed for our
database.
Click to expand...

That's ABSURD. It evidently IS an Access database; one report - a tool
within that database - generates a .pdf report. That's fine if you
need a .pdf report. But *that's not what you need* - you need the data
in the tables within that Access database!

Is the database in a shared Windows folder to which you have read
permission? If so try using File... Get External Data... Link to link
to the tables in the database. If not, see if you can (gently and
diplomatically, which would be more than I could do!) explain that you
do not need a REPORT, that you need DATA, and that it is much easier
for them to export the data (say in dBase or Text) than it is to
generate a .pdf report.

Good luck. Your problem is, again, purely bureaucratic and not
technical... which, alas, means that it may be harder to resolve.
 
I need to download the
directory - which sits on a proprietary server as an
access database - and save it on a CDRW to a format I can
work in. Right now I'm being told that is not possible -
my question then is, if it's possible to save the
directory database to PDF, what's involved in saving the
directory to another format without additional
programming?
Click to expand...

1. Open the Access database.
2. Select File... Export from the menu.
3. Choose a file type (Text, Excel, dBase, ...)
4. Choose the directory table.
5. Type in a file name.
6. Click the RUN button.
 
your messages are causing quite a bit of confusion.
As I understand it, "directory" as you use it is analogous to a Telephone
Directory, not a File System Directory (folder)

From a previous message, it appears that you are given access to the
directory through a web page where you enter search criteria etc and get a
reply on a web page. (.cfm indicates the web page uses coldfusion)

It seems that it is a complicated database - it offers various features such
as member and customer lists
and a meeting planner.

Even importing the data into ACT will only go so far - for example, how do
you plan to synchronize the data on your version with the one on the web -
think of meetings etc...

Althoug I sympathize with your frustration, it seems to me that your request
is not that simple, nor will it be resolved by just giving you a copy of the
Access database - if the If folks ever consider giving it out.

HS
 
Ditto on the ABSURD - I've been going round on this in
circles since June. And yes, this is and has been
entirely BUREACRATIC, not technical. That's why I felt
if I offered the technical solution (cost-free and idiot
proof)I could break that through that cold, beaucratic
wall (wondering all the time what I'm paying the $$$
annual membership for since it's all about the directory
I can't use). Anyway - you're right about this being
harder than the techical side so thank for your help and
wish me good luck!

Brandi
 
Back
Top