combining two databases

[Guest]

I've inherited two databases which should actually be combined into a single
database. DB1 contains a table with employees, employee ID, and various
information regarding the employees. DB2 contains a table with employees,
employee ID, and additional information about the employees. All of this
data belongs in a single database and a single table. If the primary keys
of the two tables are the same(employeeID) , how do I go about importing
whole fields from one table into the other?

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Open one of the .mdb files. Link to the table(s) in the other (File | Get
External Data | Link...).

Make sure the table into which you want ALL to go has the fields it needs to
take it all.

Now create queries that will take from one db's table(s) and either append
(if an Employee is in one but not the other) or update (if you are
adding/altering values, based on what was in table#2).

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

 

[John Vinson]

I've inherited two databases which should actually be combined into a single
database. DB1 contains a table with employees, employee ID, and various
information regarding the employees. DB2 contains a table with employees,
employee ID, and additional information about the employees. All of this
data belongs in a single database and a single table. If the primary keys
of the two tables are the same(employeeID) , how do I go about importing
whole fields from one table into the other?

Jeff's suggestions will do the job but... this can always be tricky.
What if the Employee tables in the two databases have conflicting data
(such as a person's name being Mary Smith in one table, and Maria
Sanchez in the other)?

Back both of these databases up thoroughly, and check carefully! I've
been burned by this kind of project...

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Good catch, John! I backup so often I forget to remind folks <g>

Jeff

 

[Guest]

Thanks to both of you. With a combination of both suggestions and a whole
lot of crosschecking, the job is done. I appreciate the help. Thanks.