Comparing Database Records

[Jack G]

Is there a way to take an archived database and a current version of the
same datatbase and deterimine what records are different - either records
that have been added or records that have had some of their data changed? I
only care about the data in the tables, not the forms, queries, reports,
modules, etc.

Jack

 

[Guest]

Create an Unmatched query.

 

[Jack G]

Karl, thank you, but I'm not sure that the unmatched query did what I had
hoped for -- maybe I did it wrong. First, I created a new database and
imported the tables I wanted to compare. Then I went to Query - New and
clicked on Unmatched Query. I picked the two tables i wanted to compare,
and when asked for 'What piece of information is in both tables?' I picked
the field that is the first field in each table. Then I asked it to show me
all of the fields in the result. What I got back was just the five records
that apparently didn't have anything entered in the first field.

My hope had been to get a list of all records sharing that same first field
value that had any other fields different.

Jack

 

[Guest]

Open the query in design view. You will see the field you selected in the
table is joined to the other table. Double click on the connecting line and
review which of three options is selected. Close that window. Click and
drag other fields you want to compare. Open the join and select the same
option. Enter Is Null in the criteria row of the grid for the field but on a
different row than before.

If the Is Null is on the same row then both fields must not match to pull
the record. If on a different row then either can be different to pull the
record.