FE mdb, browse to link to various BE datasources

[Guest]

Our department uses an Access application for writing multimedia scripts. We
provide an "empty" copy of the database (both FE & BE in one mdb) to the
creative writer to draft a script, then the database is put on our server for
collaboration and production. Currently, each unique script (we have dozens)
is a separate database. We are having a great deal of difficulty managing
changes to the front end design of these databases because there are so many
copies of it (close to 100). I was thinking it might work better to split
the databases so we only have to maintain the one file. But we would need to
design it so so that the users could select which data source (script) they
wanted to work on. And since that data source could be on a server, or if
they were working from home, on their local drive, we would need to enable
them to browse (or enter the path) to the file they want to edit. Is this a
good idea - and if so, does anyone know how change the datasource of the
linked tables based on user entry?

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

It's not really clear to me what a "script" is.

Is this data, or is it forms and modules?

If it's data, then all of them should likely be in the same back-end
database.

If it's front-end material, perhaps you should have some process whereby you
can add each of the new scripts into a single front-end as the new scripts
get developed. Using something like the Auto FE Updater Tony Toews has at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/autofe.htm would ensure that each user
always had the most recent copy of the front-end database.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply! The "Scripts" are like a movie script - but these are
for multimedia training programs. They are made up of data entered into a
set of relational tables that include audio to be recorded, images to be
created, etc. and corresponding filenames & other details for production. It
doesn't work to have a single backend (we tried that) because we often have
multiple creative writers working concurently from home.

 

[Albert D.Kallal]

ok, so you are looking for some code to all a user to "link" or choose which
data file to work on.

this linking code is very common, and most developers do add the ability to
link to a back end.

You can find the code here:

You can use the code here to re-link.

http://www.mvps.org/access/tables/tbl0009.htm

And, you also should grab the code to popup the file dialog browse..and that
can be found here:

http://www.mvps.org/access/api/api0001.htm

So, using both of the above routines...you can build a button to "open" a
particular file...which of course would really link to a back end of your
choice...

 

[Guest]

Exactly what I needed. Thanks!