My database has shrunk in size from 5.44MB to 1.54MB ????

[Guest]

I have a database which I have been adding to over the last 2 years. The
filesize (looking at Windows explorer) has shrunk from 5.44MB to 1.54MB
without any apparent loss of data or functionality. I regularly make a
back-up copy and it is always around the 5Mb to 5.5Mb area. But now it
appears to be taking up less space. Any ideas anyone??

 

[Guest]

This usually happens when the database is compacted and repaired which can be
found in the tools menu under data utilities. You will not lose any data or
functionality by doing this. It is good practice to compact and repair the
database

 

[Guest]

Can the database do this by itself? I thought you normally had to save it
under a different filename?

 

[Joseph Meehan]

Can the database do this by itself? I thought you normally had to
save it under a different filename?

When you do a compact and repair it does not need a copy of the database
and the name remains the same. For backups, it is not necessary to change
the name, but rather the file can be copied to a different location, ideally
a physical media, like to a CD or maybe to another computer via a LAN.

 

[Guest]

Its possible that this could have happened but this would not in any way
damage your database. You do not need to rename the file when compacting.
just to check and see if it was compacted you should compact a recent backup
that would have been the same size and see if it is compacted down to approx
1.54MB

 

[Guest]

Thanks very much for your help...

Its possible that this could have happened but this would not in any way
damage your database. You do not need to rename the file when compacting.
just to check and see if it was compacted you should compact a recent backup
that would have been the same size and see if it is compacted down to approx
1.54MB