how to update the structure of tables from one .mdb to another .mdb

[marnold37341]

I am making modifications to the tables (adding fields, changing field type, etc.) on the .mdb located on my machine. Meanwhile, the user is working with his copy of the application, installed on his machine. Our computers are not connected. I carry my updates to his machine via zip disk. I have no problem installing the updates in the application .mdb, however I have, as said above, made some changes to the "backend" .mdb tables in the .mdb where the data resides. (I split the data into a separate .mdb and have the tables linked in the application .mdb.) Is there a process where I can update the structure of the tables in the "data" .mdb to be equal to the structure in the "application" .mdb, or alternately, is there a way to get the data from the user's "data" .mdb into my copy of the "data" .mdb? My objective is to provide the user with the updated structure without losing his data.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Mickey Arnold
marnold37341@yahoo.com

 

[larryww]

Write append table queries that read in the old and write out the new.

To preserve table names, use a new .MDB name with the same table names (but new format), and link to the old tables; append their content; delete the old .MDB; rename the .MDB.

I don't believe you'll be able to enjoy an en masse solution, other than using VBA to modify the table structures. Of course you need exclusive access to the data here, but then you can "repair it in place" if that appeals to you.

 

[thornmastr]

I hate having to deal with this situation. I have been trying to find a way to automate the process, but with only limited success. So let me give you the tried and true method. Install the BE database on the user machine from your zip file but give it a different name.as an example we will call it my.mdb. the users mdb, as an example, is called user.mdb. In user.mdb rename the table which will be changed to oldtable. Now, import the structure of the modified table from my.mdb into user.mdb. Now append the data from oldtable into the new table structure. When finished, delete oldtable. Gather up your trusty zip disk and go to the next user. Boring, tried and true.

Robert Berman