Advice On Updating Someone Else's Access Database!
Mar 15, 2007
Hi, im currently working on a database which is for someone else. Whe it is handed over to them, they will no doubt want some changes done every so oftern eg new reports, changes to forms etc.
What is the best way to do this? The database holds a lot of data, so I dont think its feasible for them to send it to me via email everytime they need something changed!
Ive noticed a few posts here about splitting the database into a front/back end. If this was done, would they just have to send me the front end; this would probably be a smaller file ye?
If this is going to be the best way round the problem; how easy is it to split a database which is basically already made?
Hi, im currently working on a database which is for someone else. Whe it is handed over to them, they will no doubt want some changes done every so oftern eg new reports, changes to forms etc.
What is the best way to do this? The database holds a lot of data, so I dont think its feasible for them to send it to me via email everytime they need something changed!
Ive noticed a few posts here about splitting the database into a front/back end. If this was done, would they just have to send me the front end; this would probably be a smaller file ye?
If this is going to be the best way round the problem; how easy is it to split a database which is basically already made?
I have a number of Yes/No fields in my database (their default value is False), and I am looking to update these via one of my webpages via INSERT INTO... statement.
What I have is a checkbox on the page, with checked value as true, and then before the values are written to the database, for the unchecked boxes, it converts all empty check box values (ie the ones which have been left unticked) to false, so the INSERT INTO statement will either write true or false for each checkbox, like this... true,true,false,true
The thing is, on executing the code, it add all the other details fine, and hits no errors, but NONE of the checkboxes get updated... these ALL remain unticked in the database, so ignoring any true values which are written to it. Please can someone help, I would be sooo thankful ).
Beginner at ASP VBscript. Hi I'm trying to update a Access database through a form using ASP VBScript. Kind of lost. I've looked at some sites and they all have complex ways of doing it. CAn anyone help with a simple little example. say a table with firstname and second name.
I have to create reports from an Access database used in a commercial application. The backend uses Access but the front end does not.
The vendor does not document the data or provide any support for that. The database has over one hundred tables and thousands of fields.
I'm thinking I'll create small transactions in the application and then study the database to see what has changed. But this seems overwhelming considering how many tables and fields there are. So I'm looking for advice on how to approach this.
I want to know if anyone has taken a large database (e.g 400,000 records) and had to take a subsection of this so to reduce size. (E.g you randomly would like to take 20,000 records). I need to reduce a database size for a test situation but would like to know what I should consider when reducing the size in this way.
Do I take the base database structure – table organisation with fields linkages etc and load data in?
I have some help in this task but would like to know of any advice that could be provided.
Hi, I would like to get your advice on my table setup and relationships for this payroll project. The company is an engineering company with Projects (or construction sites) around the world.
The 'Candidates' are current or potential employees and contractors. There are three main pay categories:
1.Shift-workers All shift workers doing a particular job on a particular project are paid the same rates e.g. all welders on a particular project or site in England are paid the same as each other. For that reason I want to link the pay rates with the job description for these workers. This avoides creating 50 records for 50 welders on the site in England to say that they make £10 an hour normal time (or whatever it is) etc.
2. Contract Contract workers usually get paid a flat rate per hour. As these are negociated on an individual basis I would need to have this information linked to each individuals job (M_CandidateJobDetails).
3. Salary Again this information needs to be input for each individuals job.
For the contract and salary people the pay frequency can vary (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly). So can the currency they are paid in. I haven't got as far as the currency issue yet.
The reason for the one-to-many relationship between M_JobClassifaction and M_CandidateJobDetails is that many candidates can have the same type of job e.g. there can be many employees that in the job classifaction of 'Electrician'. For many of the jobs at managerial level e.g. 'site manager' there will only be one.
I will have a table with the hours worked by each person per week. I can use this for those on shift work or contract to calculate what they will be paid.
One of the main reasons for this database is so that the company can print reports to see what is paid out in payroll for each site and in total (in euros). These will be gross figures and I don't need to take expenses, vacations, bonuses or taxes into account. They other thing we will need to be able to do is assign candidates to vacant positions and change them from one position to another - possibly between different projects.
So basically does anyone have any comments on the relationships, normalisation or anything else. Is this the best way to do it?
I was going to say before I screw it up, but that would have made the title too long.
I've read some forum history and done some searches and can't see that a similar query has come up previously - but if anyone can point me at previous relevant threads then that would be much appreciated. I've looked at some of the design theory threads, but am not really sure whether I've applied some of the good stuff in there effectively - and have put this query here as it's specific to my database rather than a 'general principles' thing.
I am hoping that some kind person/people might be able to pick holes in my planned database revamp as I may not have seen some of the pitfalls - thank you.
Background: I am the first and sole employee of a grant-making trust and set up our (still relatively small) database early on - wish I could have waited, but before my database everything was paper-based and impossible to manage. The data is all on the database, but an exponential growth in number of enquiries/applications over the last year means that it can't be easily manipulated in a way that meets our needs because of my short-sighted (OK, poor owing to inexperience in job) initial design in some areas.
Database: What it's supposed to do: In brief, the way our organisation works is that we get a phone call or a letter or sometimes an entire application from a charity or community group, decide what to do with it and have to manage the funding contract (regular reviews, grant instalments) if the application is successful.
I think existing data is reasonably normalised (certainly at least equivalent to normalisation in the structure below) so migration shouldn't be a problem, but if anyone spots any normalisation or naming convention issues then please do point them out - I'm an Access amateur, but would like to get it as right as I can (this time). Small letters indicate linked tables, numbers indicate 'footnotes'.
(a) tblProjEvent PEvID (primary key) PEvDate ProjName ProjEvent (g) ProjEvDesc - additional detail - e.g. who involved, topic if not obvious from event field. ProjEvActWho - who is responsible if future action ProjEvActDue - due date ProjEvActComp - checkbox ProjEvActCompDate ProjEvNote (NB not to duplicate description - more for 'additional notes arising from completed action' or sensitivities that may need to be considered and kept separate from regular reporting)
(b) tblOrganisation Details not listed for brevity, but split one field per line of address/detail, org name as primary key - existing table can be migrated as is (2). Includes suppliers, networking orgs. (f)
(c) tblProjSourceLup How they heard about us - list of sources for speed/consistency of data entry.
(d) tblProjStatusLup What it says on the tin - where we're at right now with a project. History/status changes recorded in tblProjAction.
(e) tblProjReasonDecline List of common reasons for speed/consistency of data entry
(f) tblOrgContacts OrgContact ID (primary key) Names/personal details of organisational contacts, split one field per item (firstname, lastname, jobtitle, etc).
(g) tblProjEventLup Letter, Funding contract, review meeting, report, telecon, Board review, etc. May be a future action.
Accounts functions: Payments in/out linked to organisation with a lookup table for account types (in, out, grant, donation, expenses etc etc). Works fine and can be migrated as is (2)
The current arrangement of relationships has the organisation as the focus - I'm looking to make the project the focus, which seems to make sense as each project is unique - whereas we may get several project applications from the same organisation - and the existing structure makes it impossible to sort these out :o.
Footnotes
1) Vast number of applications that fall into the "arrive, get read, get binned" category make this duplication worthwhile - most applications won't make it into the Project Event table. Apart from the "Greetings in the name of the Lord"/419 e-mails, they do all need recording somehow so we can spot any trends and correct misinformation - save hard-working fundraisers wasting their time*.
2) Of course data validation will be necessary, but in most tables we're talking hundreds or thousands of records only, not tens of thousands so should not be that onerous. Especially as I've been the only person using the database, so there are hopefully not too many inconsistencies!
This post is too long already, but if I've been uselessly unclear in explaining anything or anyone wants any more before they want to comment on efficacy of structure please let me know. All feedback appreciated (as I said, I work alone, so really looking for idea-bouncing to check I can see the wood as well as the trees as much as anything - thanks).
*As charity is always a sensitive area and some of you may be involved with voluntary work, an OT comment: 'No response' might seem rude - but if an organisation is -clearly- excluded by the criteria on our website, or that very same person (or a large charity who should be able to manage its information effectively) has previously been told that they are ineligible by reason of their location, size or type then they have had their response already. I could spend all day every day writing 'No' letters - I'd rather be doing something more positive with my time (like checking out/meeting with organisations that are potentially eligible so they get their answer - and in some cases money ASAP). Not R-ing TFM (aka grant guidelines) apparently applies to fundraisers as much as any other profession :rolleyes:
I have created an MS Access 2000 solution for a company that utilises replication and remote synchronization. The company have about 12 people working out in the field (on laptops) who use replicas of the database (held on the company's server). The solution has become quite unstable and the amount of database conflicts is growing daily.
Could anyone suggest a more robust solution for the senario described? Would MySQL or MSDE be a more stable option? Is there anything I can do to make the MS Access solution work?!!
I am creating and using an access front end with a SQL server back end (which I manage thru access project), and I am wondering if I am losing my way.
I have some heavy tables which hold upwards of 60,000+ records. Before when I held it all on access, the database would swell up to 200 mb+ and used to grind to a near halt, now with the tables on SQL, it is much quicker, and no corruption problems so far. Also using SQL, I am forced to a better table structure.
I have linked the SQL tables thru to the access front end no problem and have queries running of the them, I find I can do more with access queries as they seem easier to construct and fault diagnose. This is especially true when using the ‘choose’ function. However, I am not sure if this is correct or intended way.
Therefore, in a good access front end, SQL server back end set up, should I
1) Where possible, put all updates, append, and delete queries as project stored procedures and pass them thru to the access FE
2)rather than link the tables from SQL to the access FE, and then make access FE queries to feed the forms, as I currently do, make the query views in project, and link them to access FE, and then make queries off these to the forms.
3) i note comments about using a WHERE function, should this be in SQL if possible
Ultimately, my thinking is that if I can make the project / SQL do as much as possible, it will be easier (for somebody else with better knowledge) to migrate the front end to another platform such as ‘asp’, if required.
Pardon my lay mans language, I need a course or a good book
I am building an application where the database is created from a large flat file. As a part of the process I need to build 10 temporary tables using VBA recordsets. I have designed the necessary algorithm and have tried simplified model that appears to be working with two tables. Before I go any further I would appreciate if someone could enlighten me in regard to Access 2003 constraints and limitations. The data (text) files are likely to have more than a million rows each, and each temporary table in the database will have more than 10 fields. It appears that using the processed data to populate the appropriate tables (with one “pass” through the file) simultaneously will be most efficient. In the past similar application was build using Access 2000 and the developer had to (or so I have been led to believe) use extraordinary number of macros and queries with numerous passes through the source file. My question is: If the code works with a small file and reduced number of variables and recordsets, shouldn’t the “full size” version of the same code work accordingly?
I have designed a touchscreen input system using Visual Basic.net and this writes to an Access Database. Each Touchscreen has its database locally so it can still work even if there are Network problems.
Now what I would like to do is have all these local databases write to a central database say every minute but only write new records to the central database. The Central Database can either be Access or SQL.
Hi, I'm currently putting together a database for a medical NGO in Cambodia (http://www.medicorps.com/updates/cambodia.html) and am looking for some advice. The simple database is for logging client referral cases by Cambodian doctors to a team of international doctors. I haven't used access in 10 months and despite programming in access for 5 years progress is very slow. At the moment I'm designing the input and search forms. I was thinking that a more logical approach would be to convert the forms to access data pages and put the database online. I haven't used data access pages but from what i know their fairly limited? The goal would be the ability to log/search the data with auto updated pull downlist based on the actual data. Ultimately I want the data compiled and emailed to a email list from withing the website. The trouble is I have no idea how to do it.
Our organization (a University) has been engaged in becoming "paperless."
As part of that initiative, we have spent the past several months scanning several hundred thousand pages of documents relating to building systems (HVAC, e.g.) as well a a massive quantity of detailed lead and asbestos surveys and abatement records.
The initiative is indeed reducing the quanity of paper stored in binders and file cabinets, however now it is becomming evident that retrieving some of that information is a real problem for some folks.
At a meeting this morning a question arose about whether we could develop an Access application to retrieve the documents (which are very logically filed on a network share, but it seems to be beyond the compreshension of some staff how to actually navigate through the maze).
My question is this: has anyone in this forum ever tried to implement such a solution with Access?
Any advice or insight would be very much appreciated.
Not sure if anyone can help but I have an issue I would love to sort out.
Each week I load several excel spreadsheets into an access database (one table) in order that I can check for duplicates across previous weeks and that week (with in excess of 20,000 records on each excel sheet). I created a find duplicate query to identify the records so I can use it to obtain credits. Unfortuantely I am not in control of the data coming to me (or else I would prevent duplicates at source)
Im not sure if this is the best way to try and do this or not. Any comments are greatly appreciated.
Hi Everyone! I am a huge novice in database programming. I have a very basic database that I put together. I understand how to retrieve records and such, but I need to be able to perform mathmatic calculations in queries. I either need a new database written, or the one that I have ''tweeked''. I have no clue what the going rate is, but i am willing to pay. Just let me know what your cost is. Contact me @ davemayer@bellsouth.net or if you would like on the forum. Once you contact me I will give you my phone number and we can discuss the specifics of the database and whatever $ you will need to do the job. I am in a bit of a hurry to get this done, so let me know ASAP. Thanks a million. Dave.
I've set up a database for product tracking. It is going to be used by several users at one time. I'm going to implement it in stages as inevitably there is going to be some fine tuning to be done etc. I have a few questions with regards to editing.
1, I presume that I cant alter the database while it is being accessed by others?
2, Is it better to alter another copy of the database and the import the data being generated and then copy it to back the server in one go?
3, If so how do i do this as I’ve had a trial go and failed miserably?
4, Is there another way of doing this minimising the down time of the database?
Being relatively new to access your help would be gratefully appreciated.
I have a database which i am constantly updating and improving. I have a few friends who use the database in a current form. If i made an update say to a form or to some of the coding to make the DB more efficent, how can i update the dBs my friends are using without damaging or changing the existing data, or migrating it to the new design.
Hi I am having problems updating my database using a dropdown menu can someone see where I have gone wrong: Error: ADODB.Recordset error '800a0bcd' Either BOF or EOF is True, or the current record has been deleted. Requested operation requires a current record. /update_style.asp, line 34 ************************************************** ******* drop down form: Code:<% 'Dimension variables Dim styConn 'Holds the Database Connection Object Dim rsstyle 'Holds the recordset for the records in the database Dim strstyke 'Holds the SQL query for the database Dim lngRecordNo2 'Holds the record number to be updated 'Read in the record number to be updated lngRecordNo2 = Request.QueryString("RemID") 'Create an ADO connection object Set styConn = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection") styconn="PROVIDER=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;DATA SOURCE=ny database connection is here that's not the problem;" 'Create an ADO recordset object Set rsstyle = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset") 'Initialise the strSQL variable with an SQL statement to query the database strstyle = "SELECT memorial.pagestyle FROM memorial where remid=" & lngRecordNo2 'Open the recordset with the SQL query rsstyle.Open strstyle, styConn %> <form name="form" method="post" action="update_style.asp?remid=<%=lngRecordNo2%>"> <tr> <td width="50%"> <select size="5" name="pagestyle" style="width: 95%;" style="border:1px outset #5286A5; " style="border:1px outset #5286A5; " multiple style="border: 1px outset #5286A5"> <option value="Bible">Bible</option> <option value="boat">boat</option> <option value="candles">candles</option> <option value="child1">child1</option> <option value="child2">child2</option> <option value="cross">cross</option> <option value="diary">diary</option> <option value="footprints">footprints</option> <option value="heaven1">heaven1</option> <option value="landscape">landscape</option> <option value="music">music</option> <option value="ocean">ocean</option> <option value="ponga">ponga</option> <option value="rose">Rose</option> <option value="rose2">Rose2</option> <option value="sky">Sky</option> <option value="toitoi">Toitoi</option> <option value="valley">Valley</option> </select></td> <td width="50%"> <font face="Arial" size="2" color="#5286A5"> Click here to view what each style template looks like.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="100%" colspan="2" align="center"> <input type="submit" value="Submit New Style" name="style" style="color: #FFFFFF; font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid #5286A5; background-color: #5286A5"></td> </tr> </form> <% 'Reset server objects rsstyle.Close Set rsstyle = Nothing Set styCon = Nothing %> ************************************************** * The scripted page after submission (where the error accures): <!-- #INCLUDE FILE="connection.asp" --> <% 'Dimension variables Dim adoCon 'Holds the Database Connection Object Dim rsUpdateEntry 'Holds the recordset for the record to be updated Dim strSQL 'Holds the SQL query to query the database Dim lngRecordNo 'Holds the record number to be updated 'Read in the record number to be updated lngRecordNo = CLng(Request.Form("Remid")) 'Create an ADO connection object Set adoCon = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection") 'Set an active connection to the Connection object using DSN connection adoCon.Open Connect_String 'Create an ADO recordset object Set rsUpdateEntry = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Recordset") 'Initialise the strSQL variable with an SQL statement to query the database strSQL = "SELECT memorial.pagestyle FROM memorial WHERE remid=" & lngRecordNo 'Set the cursor type we are using so we can navigate through the recordset rsUpdateEntry.CursorType = 2 'Set the lock type so that the record is locked by ADO when it is updated rsUpdateEntry.LockType = 3 'Open the recordset with the SQL query rsUpdateEntry.Open strSQL, adoCon 'Update the record in the recordset rsUpdateEntry.Fields ("pagestyle") = Request.Form ("pagestyle") 'Write the updated recordset to the database rsUpdateEntry.Update DIM strCustomerID strCustomerID = rsupdateentry("remID") 'Reset server objects rsUpdateEntry.Close Set rsUpdateEntry = Nothing Set adoCon = Nothing 'Return to the update select page in case another record needs deleting 'Response.Redirect "update_select.asp" Response.Redirect ("editmemorial.asp?REMID=") & strcustomerid %>
I have a small form that when people fill in it should update their details intomy database. However the page seems to be working fine and completes corerectly. But when i go to the table in the database it just enters a blank line fo reach field.
A client has had a database in operation for about a year. They requested some updates. I have been trying to figure out an easy way to update table structer with out having the client go into the backend and add a field or two.
I wrote an update program, that copies the table from their backend, and copied it to the updated table and tried to copy it back to thier backend, but since it is in a relationship, it won't let me.
I'm having difficulties creating a sql statement which updates data in another Access database from a current database.
I'm able to do an insert and delete statement just perfectly, but not an Update. :confused:
For example, here is a dummy sample (which does not work):
Update tbl_test1 IN '\C:Tempabc.mdb', tbl_test2 set tbl_test1.Name = tbl_test2.Name Where tbl_test1.ID = tbl_test2.ID
I tried a couple of variations, however, I keep getting an error. Also, I don't want to create a database link (due to the sheer complexity of my project, which I'll spare you the details..)
Does anyone know how to do this? I searched the forums and came up with zilch! =(.. Help??!
