Multiple active copies: "The Save action was canceled"

  • Thread starter Thread starter JoshuaAnthony
  • Start date Start date
J

JoshuaAnthony

Hi there,

I chose Microsoft Access to write a database because I was under the
impression that it could handle multiple users manipulating data
concurrently. I have written the database and have done a few tests
with two copies open at the same time. I have no problems in a form
which is used purely to add new records. Unfortunately, in another
form where I try to edit records, upon trying to save ANY record (even
if the other copy of Access is not manipulating the same OR ANY record)
I get the message: "The Save action was canceled".

Any suggestions?
 
In fact, just to do a simple test I created a table with 2 fields and
linked it to a form. Opening two copies of this database, it doesn't
matter if I am adding or editing records (regardless of whether both
copies are manipulating EXACTLY the same record or not) I get the
following message when pressing the save button:

"Microsoft Access can't save design changes or save to a new database
object because another user has the file open. To save your design
changes or to save to a new object, you must have exclusive access to
the file."

Just for the record, I have 'default open mode' set to 'shared' not
'exclusive' under 'tools->options->advanced'.
 
Access can handle multiple users with ease. When you say you are opening two
copies, are you opening two copies of the >same< program? Multiuser Access
is normally achieved by splitting the database into frontend (forms,
reports, etc) and backend (tables). Provide each user a copy of the
frontend, and link the frontend to the backend (you can use the Linked Table
manager to do this).

The error you describe below is a common one; in A2K and above, you must
have exclusive access to the database in order to make any changes. You
wouldn't be allowed to make any changes while someone else (i.e. your other
user) was in the database.

I'd encourage you to google on "ms access multiuser" and read up on the huge
volumes of postings that have been generated on this topic. There is a
newsgroup devoted to this topic at microsoft.public.multiuser.
 
Verify that you have RWCD privileges for the folder used to store your back-end database.
This is a necessary condition for multiuser access to an Access database. Even though you
indicated that you have the default open mode set to shared, if you do not have the
sufficient folder privileges, you may not be able to create the locking database file
(*.LDB). In that case, I suspect that the database would open exclusive irregardless of
the setting under Tools > Options.

A simple test for required folder privileges is to use Notepad and attempt to save a text
file in the shared folder. Then re-open it and attempt to edit something in it. Finally,
verify that you can delete it. Repeat this test from each computer, logged in as the user
who needs to use your database. I have heard network admins. tell me that they set up the
folder privileges correctly, with RWCD privileges for everyone, when in fact this simple
test demonstrated that they had not.

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=208778

Your second paragraph below, regarding design changes, is by design. You cannot make
design changes when someone else has the database open (or if you have a second instance
of it running on the same PC). Don't confuse design changes with data changes.

Tom
________________________________


In fact, just to do a simple test I created a table with 2 fields and
linked it to a form. Opening two copies of this database, it doesn't
matter if I am adding or editing records (regardless of whether both
copies are manipulating EXACTLY the same record or not) I get the
following message when pressing the save button:

"Microsoft Access can't save design changes or save to a new database
object because another user has the file open. To save your design
changes or to save to a new object, you must have exclusive access to
the file."

Just for the record, I have 'default open mode' set to 'shared' not
'exclusive' under 'tools->options->advanced'.

________________________________


Hi there,

I chose Microsoft Access to write a database because I was under the
impression that it could handle multiple users manipulating data
concurrently. I have written the database and have done a few tests
with two copies open at the same time. I have no problems in a form
which is used purely to add new records. Unfortunately, in another
form where I try to edit records, upon trying to save ANY record (even
if the other copy of Access is not manipulating the same OR ANY record)
I get the message: "The Save action was canceled".

Any suggestions?
 
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