When using local tables and requiring relations between them and the Back-End tables.Using multiple back-ends and requiring relations between the tables from different back-ends.
Of course, like with everything in life, there are exceptions to the rule. I thought I’d point out that, typically, the relations are created within the Back-End. RelationshipsĪs with any RDMS ( relational database management system), Access tables are typically setup to have relationships between one another to enforce Referential Integrity between the data held in the tables.
#Ms access multiple user full#
So developers need to pay to get the full edition of Access, users typically only need to have the Runtime Edition. It only limits their ability to make design changes and access VBA code. This enables them to use a database, but they cannot go and change the design of Forms, Reports, VBA code, … and yes, the runtime still enables users to freely work with the data (add, modify, delete).
#Ms access multiple user free#
For such users, Microsoft has a FREE Runtime Edition of Access. Not all your users need to create/modify Access databases, what they most often need is to simple use an existing database. This comes at a cost, the cost of the purchasing the software. This permits you to create and modify Access databases. When you buy a copy of Access (at the store, through Office365, …) you are purchasing the full edition of Access. That said, every user needs to have Access or Access Runtime installed for them to be able to run the Front-End and use an Access Database. As such, the server housing the Back-End does not require Access for you to be able to use it. The Front-End accesses the Back-End file and all the processing is done through the Front-End.
#Ms access multiple user code#
The other thing I’d mention regarding splitting your database is you are probably best to do this in the early stages of development as some code will not work properly once split, so best to set things up right from the start so you can develop things as they will be in production and properly test things.īefore delving into the next steps required to put an Access database in Production, I think it is critical to very briefly review the overall technology setup required to deploy an Access database a little further. It CANNOT be one a OneDrive, DropBox, ... folder over the Internet This can be a shared folder on a PC, a folder on a server, NAS device, ... Once you’ve split your database, then you need to place the BE in a centrally accessible location. In the picture below, the BE would be located on the server (middle of the picture) and each laptop would have a copy of the FE for the user to use to access and work with the data. (You can easily split a database DATABASE TOOLS -> Access Database (under Move Data)) Front-End (FE), the GUI if you will (queries, forms, reports, macros, VBA, …).The only time a single file Access database should be considered, and even then, would be when you create a database for the use of a single user! Otherwise, you MUST always split your database into two components: Right off the bat, Microsoft starts developers off on the wrong foot by creating a single database file. Best Practices and Troubleshooting Steps.Automatic Distribution of the Front-End.Distributing the Front-End to your Users.Preparing your Front-End for Distribution.Persistent Connection between the FE and BE.Securing/Password Protecting/Encrypting the Back-End.So, today, I thought I’d take a stab at properly covering the subject from A to Z, and everything in between. One of the most important questions we see in the forums is regarding How to setup an Microsoft Access multi-user production database.