Updating forms,querys...on multiple workstations

[sc7300]

I have an Access appliction that is installed on 3
separate workstations. I have been adding new forms and
queries to the application. What is the easiest way to
update the application on the workstations? I have been
copying the application to each workstation and then
renaming the old form/query and then copying the updated
form/queries over to the old application. I cant do
complete replace of the application because I would lose
the info in the databases. This seems very cumbersome. I
tried moving the new appliction and then importing the
databases from the application currently in use, but when
I try adding new data in the forms, I get an error that
the field size is too small on every input field.

 

['69 Camaro]

Hi.

I have an Access appliction that is installed on 3
separate workstations.

I cant do
complete replace of the application because I would lose
the info in the databases.

I'm curious. If this application is installed on three separate
workstations, does each workstation maintain its own set of data? In other
words, does workstation A not need the data in the tables located on
workstations B or C, and workstation B doesn't need the data from
workstations A and C, et cetera? If instead they all use the same data
sets, then your development copy should also have this same data set, so
"copying over" wouldn't be a problem.

This seems very cumbersome.

It sure is. Many Access developers split the database file into two
database files: a front end and a back end. The back end contains the
tables and relationships and is placed on a shared network server. The
front end contains the forms, queries, modules, et cetera, and links to the
tables in the back end. A copy of the front end is placed on each user's
workstation. When the developer is ready for the next release of the
database application, a copy of the front end is distributed to each of the
workstations. For more information on split databases, please see this Web
page:

http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/gem_tips.html#SplitDB

One can automate the distribution of the front end with Tony Toews's autofe
utility. Please see the following Web page for more information:

http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/autofe.htm

I tried moving the new appliction and then importing the
databases from the application currently in use, but when
I try adding new data in the forms, I get an error that
the field size is too small on every input field.

If I understand correctly, the new forms allow users to put data into a
larger field than was available in the old tables. If this is the case,
then you need to compare the old table structures with the new ones, and
change the old tables to match the new, larger ones. (The old tables are
the ones with the users' "current" data.) You'll be able to do this with
data already stored in the tables, since you are making the field sizes
bigger. To do the opposite could result in data loss, so Jet will warn you
before making that type of change.

HTH.

Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.

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