Which fields am I using?

[Tony Williams]

I have inherited a database which has an incredible number of fields. I'm
not sure all these fields are being used in the myriad of forms, queries,
and reports. Is there anyway that I can determine which fields are NOT being
used so that I can delete them? Is there an add-on I can use? I have tried
CSD Tools 2000 Version2 but this hasn't an option for a field usage.
Many thanks
Tony

 

[Joseph Meehan]

I have inherited a database which has an incredible number of fields.
I'm not sure all these fields are being used in the myriad of forms,
queries, and reports. Is there anyway that I can determine which
fields are NOT being used so that I can delete them? Is there an
add-on I can use? I have tried CSD Tools 2000 Version2 but this
hasn't an option for a field usage. Many thanks
Tony

Could you give us an example of some of the field. Anytime someone has
an "incredible number of fields" I strongly suspect poor table normalization
and design.

In any case if there are unused and unneeded fields, then it is likely
the whole structure is in question and should be reviewed for possible
rebuild.

 

[Douglas J Steele]

Take a look at Total Access Analyzer, from FMS

http://www.fmsinc.com/products/analyzer/index.html

 

[Tony Williams]

Thanks for your input Joseph. This is an Access database that is used to
create statistical reports on data covering a wide selection of funding
activities. I have looked at the structure and I think it is Ok in that
there does not appear to be any duplication just a large number of differing
funding activities. I am thinking that some fields are not used because I
can't find any reference to one or two of them in any forms or reports and
wonder how many others there are. The user doesn't have the budget or time
for a complete rebuild but has asked me to streamline it. I was wondering
whether there was an Access add-in like CSD Tools that searched the use of
each filed and then would give me a list of fields that weren't referenced
anywhere.
Thanks
Tony

 

[Tony Williams]

Thanks Douglas have had a look at that and it is a pretty comprehensive and
useful tool. Unfortunately the user doesn't have the budget for that and it
obviously covers far more than I wanted to know at this point in time.
Thanks anyway
Tony

 

[John Vinson]

Thanks for your input Joseph. This is an Access database that is used to
create statistical reports on data covering a wide selection of funding
activities. I have looked at the structure and I think it is Ok in that
there does not appear to be any duplication just a large number of differing
funding activities.

I have to agree with Joseph. It sounds like you have a one to many
relationship (between accounts and "funding activities") embedded in
each record, and that you're storing data - types of funding
activities - in fieldnames rather than as data in a field in the
table!

That said... there are some cheap or even free tools to do what you
ask. In increasing order of cost and power -

Free: http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/starthere/findandreplace
Find and Replace: http://www.rickworld.com
Speed Ferret: http://www.moshannon.com
Total Access Analyzer: http://www.fmsinc.com


John W. Vinson[MVP]