1. All users of the database must have at least read, write, and modify
privileges to the folder holding the database file. Not just the database
..mdb file, but the entire folder.
2. Open the database and go to Tools, Options, and Advanced Tab. Set the
Default Open mode to Shared and the Default Record Locking to Edited Record.
(While you are in the Options area, go over to the General tab and turn off
Compact on Close and Name AutoCorrect. Trust me on this.)
3. You can also get this error if someone has a form, report, etc., opened
in design view. Early versions of Access would allow someone to make design
changes while others are using the database; however, newer versions limit
this ability. It's another good reason to split the database so that you can
do development on a copy of the Front End and put it into production easily.
Sure beats working midnight shift when the users aren't around!
4. It’s possible that someone has manually opened the database exclusively.
In that case go to the folder holding the .mdb file and open up the same
named .ldb file in Notepad. You might be able to read which users are in the
database and locked it. Apply 2â€x4†as necessary to user. However that should
give a "file already in use" error. To stop this from happening create a
shortcut for each user on their desktop or off the Start button. It should
list the target as the database file and look something like:
"P:\Databases\Database File.mdb"
5. To open exclusive use the following in a shortcut: Make sure that the
path, version of Office, and database name are right:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\MSAccess.exe" "C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Samples\Northwind.mdb" /excl
You can also open up Access by itself; go to File, Open; select your
database in the Open dialog box; then go to the lower right of the dialog box
and change Open to Exclusive.
