How to bulk delete data without violating structural integrity?

[Jessica]

Hello, Mr/Ms. Wisest, could you please help me with this puzzle?

I copied a database from my colleague aiming to create a new database for
document control. So, the original data is useless to me except the
structural and interface of the database.

So, please guide me to delete the data without violating the
software/database.

Many many many thanks!

 

[Larry Daugherty]

Make a backup of your application before doing the following.

Open the application and delete all of the existing tables. Get
external Data | Import. Navigate to the backup you just made. Select
Tables. Select all. Check Structure only.

You're done

HTH

 

[Larry Linson]

If you want to just copy the database without the data, and you are using
Access 2003 or earlier, create a new, empty database, and on the File menu,
use Get External Data to copy each object, but on the Tables, be sure to
choose "Structure Only" at the appropriate prompt.

In the long term, life will be simpler, if you split your database into a
"front end" with queries, forms, reports, macros, and modules and link
tables to a "back end" with only the tables and relationships. That way,
because most changes / updates do not require changing the data structure,
you can develop and test on a "development copy" without interfering with
what you are using for production, until you have thoroughly tested the
change / update.

Splitting the database is vital if you have multiple users... each gets
their own copy of the front end, and all link to the same copy of the back
end in a shared folder. But, as described above, it is useful even if you
are the only user. Many of us have, over time, thought we could just
"shortcut this process" and have made a royal mess of our production copy --
and paid the price in time and effort trying to recover from it.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Office Access MVP

 

[Jessica]

Thank you, Larry.

But those data still exist. I want to empty all the forms/reports, like a
new built database. Did I make myself understood(sorry, English is not my
mother tongue)?

Jessica

 

[Jessica]

Thanks, Larry~!

It helps!

Can I add you to my MSN list if you don't care?

Anyway, thanks again!
----------------

 

[Larry Daugherty]

Both Larry Linson and I gave you directions that would work if
followed. Please read one/them carefully and try again.

HTH