How can I save a blank version of an existing Access database?

[Guest]

I recently created an Access database for student attendance at a language
lab. Now that the semester is over, I would like to reuse the same database
structure but start fresh with no data contained in the database. I'm sure I
could just go in and delete all of the individual records in a copy of a the
original (which I intend to save separately), but is there a way to directly
create a blank database with my original db structure/template?

Thanks.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

I'm not understanding...

Why would you need to "empty" out a database before using it for a second
semester?

(and yes, you can import "structure only" into a new empty .mdb file)

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

 

[Joseph Meehan]

I recently created an Access database for student attendance at a
language lab. Now that the semester is over, I would like to reuse
the same database structure but start fresh with no data contained in
the database. I'm sure I could just go in and delete all of the
individual records in a copy of a the original (which I intend to
save separately), but is there a way to directly create a blank
database with my original db structure/template?

Thanks.

As Jeff indicated you may want to keep your data and continue. Unless
you have a lot more individuals that would seem likely, Access can handle
years of data without deleting any of it.

Just add a new field. Maybe call it semester and update the current
records with something like 2006-1 using an update query. When done with
that make 2006-2 the default value so all new entries will be created with
the new semester indicator. Just filter your data to display only the
current semester information. You will still be able to go back and display
the old data if you like.

Note: This sounds like you may want to look into normalizing data. For
example, if you don't already have it done, you may want a student table
with information about the student, name, address etc. Then another table
for attendance or grades or whatever you are recording.

 

[Guest]

Hi Jeff.

Thanks for replying.

Well, I only like to have a particular semester's worth of attendance data
in a particular database. We will probably never go back and re-use data
from previous semesters. How do I save a "new empty .mdb file"?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Guest]

Dear Joseph,

Thank you for this helpful input.

Your idea about keeping all of the data in the same database sounds
intriguing, but it seems easier to me, perhaps given my low level of
experience with Access, to simply keep each semester's attendance data
separate. We virtually never go back and look at previous semester's data
(we use the data at the end of the semester to give reports to instructors,
and that's about it), so I prefer to just have each semester's data in a
separate database.

Thanks anyways, though.

Sincerely,
Mike

 

[Guest]

Make a copy of your database. In the copy - create a 'Delete' query for each
of the tables 'databases' that you need to empty in order to start over
fresh. After saving the 'Delete Query' - run it. EVERYTHING in your tables
'databases' will be gone, leaving only the structure behind.

Hope this helps.

 

[Joseph Meehan]

Dear Joseph,

Thank you for this helpful input.

Your idea about keeping all of the data in the same database sounds
intriguing, but it seems easier to me, perhaps given my low level of
experience with Access, to simply keep each semester's attendance data
separate. We virtually never go back and look at previous semester's
data (we use the data at the end of the semester to give reports to
instructors, and that's about it), so I prefer to just have each
semester's data in a separate database.

Thanks anyways, though.

Sincerely,
Mike

Think about it. It is not as difficult as it may sound and it can be
very handy. It is the "proper" way of doing it.