Multiple Users entering data at same time

[Karen]

Hi

I have created a database where multiple users from different departments
need to check off a check box on a form (different check box for each
department) but can be done at the same time. Can I have multiple users on
the same database maintaining different fields at the same time, but all are
doing it on the same form.

Thanks
Access 2003

 

[Keith Wilby]

Hi

I have created a database where multiple users from different departments
need to check off a check box on a form (different check box for each
department) but can be done at the same time. Can I have multiple users
on
the same database maintaining different fields at the same time, but all
are
doing it on the same form.

There are two issues here, database splitting and record locking. You
should split your database and provide each user with their own
user-interface file (aka "front-end"). Failure to do this leaves you open
to the possibility of file corruption.

Record locking will only be an issue if two or more users try to edit the
same *record* simultaneously.

Post back if you need more info.

Keith.
www.keithwilby.com

 

[Karen]

Hi Keith

I split my database... can you give me more info as to "give each user their
own front-end"? I have a "frontview" form set up where they each can
access the applicant info using different command buttons.... are you saying
create each user their own form? Thanks

Record lock - The users will search for an applicant using a "search Form",
then it will open the "applicant Form" with the student data. Two users
could end up on the same applicant trying to update two different fields...
is this not possible at all?

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

Hi Keith

I split my database... can you give me more info as to "give each user
their
own front-end"?

I explain the concepitual concpet here:

Record lock - The users will search for an applicant using a "search
Form",
then it will open the "applicant Form" with the student data. Two users
could end up on the same applicant trying to update two different
fields...
is this not possible at all?

You can have multiple users working in the database at the SAME time.
However, you can't have two people editing the SAME record at the same
time.

So, many users in the same form = 0k
So, many users working in the same table = ok
Two users edit same reocrd = Not ok.

Two users can be viewing the same record but only ONE of them can edit the
record at the same time. (it would be much like if two people could edit the
same word document at the same time...the last person to save the *record*
is the one with changes you see). ms-access resolves down to *record* level.

(so, uses can edit different records at the same time without problems, but
not the fields in the *same* record at the *same* time.)

So, ms-access does in fact work fine with multiple users...you just can have
two or more users editing the SAME record but other then that...you should
not have problems here....

 

[Karen]

thank you Albert. I do have a problem though with two people on same form.
I have "Shared" not exclusive on... what else could be the problem? Just
using a search command is causing a problem for the same table.

Thanks

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

Opps, here is the link about splitting:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/Articles/split/index.htm

I have "Shared" not exclusive on... what else could be the problem? Just

using a search command is causing a problem for the same table.

Hum, perhaps check the form in design mode, and look at the data tab in the
properties sheet.

Check the forms "record locks" setting. For a search form, you set that to
no locks.....

As for other problems, they may very well be solved after you split your
database.....

 

[Keith Wilby]

Hi Keith

I split my database... can you give me more info as to "give each user
their
own front-end"? I have a "frontview" form set up where they each can
access the applicant info using different command buttons.... are you
saying
create each user their own form? Thanks

Sorry, been away for the Easter hol. When you split you end up with a front
end (all objects except native tables) and a back end (just native tables
that the front end links to). Each user can use the same form but they
should do so from their own copy of the FE located on their local hard
drive.

HTH - Keith.
www.keithwilby.com

 

[Karen]

Hi Keith

Hope you had a good time.
OK, excuse the slow poke... I split my database... we have a shared drive on
the server that everyone has access to. When two users go into the same
form, no problem.. when they use the same "Search" command, an error
indicating it is being used by another user pops up. I split then moved the
form to the shared drive. Was this incorrect?

sorry- Thanks

 

[Keith Wilby]

Hi Keith

Hope you had a good time.
OK, excuse the slow poke... I split my database... we have a shared drive
on
the server that everyone has access to. When two users go into the same
form, no problem.. when they use the same "Search" command, an error
indicating it is being used by another user pops up. I split then moved
the
form to the shared drive. Was this incorrect?

I've never heard of such an error so I can only re-state that each user
should have their *own* copy of the FE on their *own* hard drive (not a
network drive).

Regards,
Keith.

 

[Joan Wild]

OK, excuse the slow poke... I split my database... we have a shared drive on
the server that everyone has access to. When two users go into the same
form, no problem.. when they use the same "Search" command, an error
indicating it is being used by another user pops up. I split then moved the
form to the shared drive. Was this incorrect?

Yes it was. When you split you put the backend on the shared drive. Give each user a copy of the frontend on their PC.

 

[Karen]

Joan -

I don't have a way to do that. Anything saved here must be on a shared
network drive. I could put it on different drives but all on the network...
will that work?

 

[Joan Wild]

That doesn't make sense to me. Are you saying that users don't have Word, or Excel or any other application installed on their PC? Your frontend is just another application.

 

[Keith Wilby]

That doesn't make sense to me. Are you saying that users don't have Word,
or Excel or any other application installed on their
PC? Your frontend is just another application.

If their setup is anything like ours then most of the C drive is locked out
if you're not an administrator. The workaround is to place the FE in the
user's profile folder. On our machines, the Temp folder in the user's
profile is ideal because it doesn't count towards the profile size.

Keith.
www.keithwilby.com

 

[Karen]

Keith-

I am dealing with the same probelm as you described below and I did as you
said.. (put on user's "T" drive)

I am getting this error when I am in the database and someone else tries to
get in:

The Microsoft Jet database engine cannot open the file
"//lkwd02/userfiles/kgarrison/access/admissions/Admissions_be.mdb'. It is
already opened exculsively by another user, or you need permission to view
its data.

Help?

 

[Joan Wild]

You need to modify their Windows permissions on the folder where the backend resides. They'll need read/write/create/delete permission on the folder.

Although the delete permission isn't absolutely necessary, you'll have less grief if it's there.

 

[Keith Wilby]

Keith-

I am dealing with the same probelm as you described below and I did as you
said.. (put on user's "T" drive)

That isn't what I described. Typically, the path to the user's profile Temp
folder would be

C:\Documents and Settings\kwilby\Local Settings\Temp

Keith.

 

[Karen]

Thanks. How do I do that? Where?

You need to modify their Windows permissions on the folder where the backend resides. They'll need read/write/create/delete permission on the folder.

Although the delete permission isn't absolutely necessary, you'll have less grief if it's there.