Multiple User Access

  • Thread starter Thread starter Simon Dowse
  • Start date Start date
S

Simon Dowse

Hi,

Is there anyway that I can hold a central database with
tables that contain all the data, and then have forms in
other databases that feed from the data database?

Basically, I have a database with information in it that I
don't want certain people to see, so I want to give them a
database that feeds from my master showing only certain
information (I currently have this filtered with a query).

Not sure I am confident enough to use the security built
in to Access as I lost a db before because I did it all
wrong!
 
I think what you are looking for is what they call a "split design".
This is the preferred way of organizing the DB in all but the simplest
of cases. You keep your data in a separate db on a server computer,
called back end, and give users on the LAN a front end DB which contains
forms and reports. You let the FE db use the data from the BE by using
linked tables (well, you can use other ways but linked tables is the simplest).
You can design different FEs so that different users access only certain
parts of the database.
You need to keep in mind, though, that a split Jet DB is not quite as
robust as a server-based DB. It will be more vulnerable to flaky
network, user errors or power interruptions. Make sure it gets backed up
daily, or you will risk losing the database.
Good luck,
Pavel
 
Hi,

Is there anyway that I can hold a central database with
tables that contain all the data, and then have forms in
other databases that feed from the data database?
Click to expand...

Yes. Perfectly standard and common!

Use Tools... Database Utilities... Database Splitter Wizard. The
Frontend can link to only selected tables if you wish.
Basically, I have a database with information in it that I
don't want certain people to see, so I want to give them a
database that feeds from my master showing only certain
information (I currently have this filtered with a query).

Not sure I am confident enough to use the security built
in to Access as I lost a db before because I did it all
wrong!
Click to expand...

If you do want to use security (and it's probably a good idea, if you
have any users knowledgable in Access; they'd be able to open the
backend directly) there is a good Security Whitepaper available from
Microsoft's support website; or get a copy from the CompuServe forum
in my .sig - search Files for SECFAQ2K.ZIP. The forum is free though
you'll need to assign yourself an ID. Read this document carefully.
Then the next day, read it AGAIN. Follow its instructions carefully
and you won't lock yourself out and you will have secure data; it's
indeed easy to do it wrong!
 
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