Automatically Update Microsoft Access Front End Database Files
Resources
The Problem
If you are running a Microsoft Access database over your network, and you have it set up correctly between multiple users, that means you have a Back End file with your tables (or SQL Server) along with a Front End database file for each of your users.
It's easy to make changes on the Back End, but distributing updates for the user Front End files can be a nightmare. This is where Access Updater comes in.
It's very difficult to distribute changes to multiple Front End databases when you make changes. Access cannot update itself. Furthermore, even if you map to each user's shared network drive (which is a lot of work) they have to exit the database for you to update the file, and if they shut their machine off for the night, you're out of luck.
The Solution
Access Updater allows you to make whatever modifications you want to your Front End file (the Admin copy). Then, with one click you can "push" updates up to a shared server folder.
Whenever your users load up their database, it will first check for updates. If an update is found, it will download and install the new Front End file before loading the database.
Optionally, you can also check for updates and have them installed automatically at timed intervals (hourly, for example). This is a great option for "unattended" databases, like an Email server.
Full Purchased Database
Once you have purchased the full database template, come back to this page and click on the Download button below. This will give you access to the ZIP file containing the Access Updater Template ACCDB file. The WalkThru video above gives you complete instructions on how to integrate this Template into your database setup.
Updates
Please note that this Template is very much "Version 1.0" software. While I have been running it for several weeks in my office and have tested it fully, I cannot guarantee that there are no bugs in it. Before you install it on any mission critical database setups, please make sure you have a full backup of everything beforehand. I will not be responsible for any problems incurred by your use of this software. I have several updates planned already, and you will get FREE copies for all version 1.x updates of this Template. I'll post a list of updates soon.
Feb 1, 2022: I've been having a problem with my personal copy of AccessUpdater where if, for some reason, Access doesn't close down all the way and MSACCESS.EXE is still running in the background, then the VBA FileCopy command won't make copies of the needed files because they're open. I got around this by switching to the FSO CopyFile command. I've updated the template to v1.1. If you want to integrate the changes into your existing setup, just copy the FSOCopyFile sub in the module to your module, and rename any instances of "FileCopy" to "FSOCopyFile". There should be 6 of them in a default installation.
Learn How This Database Was Built
As of right now, I don't have any plans to turn this into a full Seminar where I show you how to build the database from start to finish. However, if enough of you want to see how it was built, let me know. Post a comment below and say you're interested in a full Seminar for this Template. I'll be happy to record one if there is interest.
License
For internal use only. This template does NOT come with a royalty-free license. You may only customize the template for your business needs and for use within your organization at one location ONLY. You may not resell or distribute any form of this template to others without express written permission. Contact me for additional information on obtaining a license to distribute if you plan on including this template in a product you are reselling. Additional licenses are required if you plan on using this template with more than ten (10) employees or in multiple locations within your organization.
Not a Finished Product
Please keep in mind that most of my template databases are not designed to be finished products that are ready to go in a working environment. My templates are meant as starting points for you to customize for yourself so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. This requires that you have a basic understanding of Microsoft Access development. To work on most of my databases you should have completed my Access Beginner series and the first couple levels of my Expert series at a minimum. Most of my databases require knowledge of SQL and VBA as well.
Customize For Your Needs
If you would like to discuss customizing this template for your needs, and integrating it into your current setup, please see my consulting page for details. While I no longer accept custom jobs that are specific to a single user, I may include your features in a future version of this template if they have mass appeal. If you are looking for custom enhancements made to this template just for you, visit my Developer Network.
Technical Support
Please note that technical support is NOT guaranteed for any of my courses, seminars, or templates. If you require help with modifying this template, you may post a question in the Forums, however an answer to your question is not guaranteed. If this template comes with an accompanying Seminar, then you should purchase that Seminar to see how the database was constructed. If not, then you should have taken the suggested courses. Most of my templates are designed on a Developer level and you should have a thorough understanding of SQL and VBA before attempting to modify them. If you have a problem with one of my databases, I will only support the unmodified database exactly as it's downloaded from my site. If you have modified it in any way, it may not be something I can help you with. You can post in the Forums, and I may be able to help you, but if the issue doesn't exist in my unmodified database, it's not something I can support.
Questions?
Got sales or customer service questions about this template? Feel free to contact me. If you have technical "how do I" questions about this template, you discover a bug, or want to suggest a new feature, then please post your comments below.
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