Link versus import

[Henry]

What is the difference between link and import a database?

Henry

 

[Henry]

Thanks,

Henry

You can't link or import a database but you can link to and import tables in
other dbs. A table is a 2 dimensional structure (columns and rows) that
contains a collection of data. If you link to a table in another db and
change the data, you'll see those changes in the linked table in your current
db and in the table in the other db where the data is stored (which is where
those changes are actually being made). If you import the table from the
other db and make changes to it in the current db, the original table is
unaffected by those changes.

Chris
Microsoft MVP

 

[Klatuu]

Linking means connecting to external data sources where the data remains in
the external data source, but you are just using the data where it exists.

When using a split database where the application is in one mdb and the data
is in another, you Link to the tables in the back end.
You can also link to tables in other database engines like SQL Server or
Oracle using ODBC connections.
You can also link to other data sources like an Excel spreadsheet.

Importing means copying the data from an external data source into a table
in your Access mdb.

For some data types, there are specific methods you can use:
TransferSpreadsheet is for Excel data
TransferText is for importing text files
TransferDatabase is for importing data or other database objects from other
Access mdb files.

Beyond that, you usually have to first establish a link to the external
data, then import it into a table, then drop the link.

 

[Henry]

Thanks guys. Now I have to sit down and write the codes. Too bad I don't have
Microsoft .NET tools such as Visual C++ or C#, which have the GUI feature for
me to link the database without write codes.

Thanks,
Henry Nguyen

 

[Klatuu]

Code is not usually required to link or import. Have a look at
File, Get External Data from the Access menu.

And, maybe if you were specific about what you want to do, we could offer
some suggestions on How to do it.

 

[Henry]

You are right. I have to play with it. It seems that I can even link to
Microsoft Outlook calendar.

Thanks,
Henry Nguyen