How and Why to Split Your Microsoft Access Database

In this video, we'll talk about what splitting your database means, the benefits and drawbacks, and I'll show you how to do it. 

Junior from Baton Rouge LA (a Gold Member) asks: I've heard a lot about the benefits of splitting my Access database. Can you tell me what this is all about?

LINKS:
Access Updater: https://599cd.com/XPBW6
Split Database Seminar: https://599cd.com/XU6JU
Security Seminar: https://599cd.com/XMLTB
Split & ACCDE Files: https://599cd.com/XJ9V4
Search Form: https://youtu.be/HSnHGQeX9so
Compact & Repair: https://599cd.com/1331

BONUS FOR CHANNEL MEMBERS:
Silver Members and up get access to an EXTENDED CUT of this video which covers additional examples. That video will show you how to move or rename your backend file, use the linked table manager, create multiple back end files, and manually create links to tables.

MEMBERS ONLY VIDEO: 
https://youtu.be/f6NSe3FFmoY

BECOME A MEMBER:
https://youtube.com/channel/UCl7-jJie4ifOVK87FINIuDg/join

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
FREE Access Level 1: https://599cd.com/Free1
FREE Customer Template Database: https://599cd.com/XCDT
$1 Access Level 2: https://599cd.com/1Dollar
Your Questions Answered: https://599cd.com/TechHelp
Learning Connection 50% OFF: https://599cd.com/Connection
Survey: https://599cd.com/survey
Richard's Blog: https://599cd.com/blog
Access Forum: https://599cd.com/AccessForum
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LearningAccess
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Access
https://products.office.com/en-us/access
https://microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/access/
Email Me: amicron@gmail.com

OTHER ARTICLES:
https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-plus-reasons-to-split-an-access-database
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/split-an-access-database-3015ad18-a3a1-4e9c-a7f3-51b1d73498cc
https://www.yourofficeanywhere.co.uk/info-hub/split-an-access-database/
http://www.databasedev.co.uk/split_a_database.html

KEYWORDS:
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Benefits of Splitting Your Access Database 
create a front end for an access database

OVERVIEW:
Splitting your database is dividing it into two or more files. One file, called the Front End, contains your forms, reports, queries, macros, and modules. The other, called the Back End, contains just your tables. Splitting your database makes it:

- More Efficient, Faster
- Easier to Maintain, Update
- More Secure
- Reduces Corruption
- Easier to Scale Up

BENEFITS OF A SPLIT DATABASE:
Faster & More Efficient
- Only data transferred over the network
- Users have local copy of forms, reports, etc.
- Makes the database operate faster
- Data is “more available”
- Temporary data can be processed locally

Easier to Update & Maintain
- Design changes to Front End without interrupting users
- Do not have to import data after changes
- Multiple developers can work on their Front Ends

More Secure
- Separate Back End files for secure data
- Sensitive info can be stored locally
- Users can’t get at database design or code (with encryption)

Other Benefits
- Go beyond the 2 GB Access file size limitation
- Reduces corruption – usually kept to Front End file
- Easier to scale up to SQL Server or Cloud Platform

Drawbacks of Splitting
- Distributing Front End updates can be challenging
- Lose referential integrity on linked tables

STEPS TO SPLITTING YOUR DATABASE:
 1. Backup your database!
 2. Create a shared database folder (//Server/Sharename or Z:\Database)
 3. Split the Database
 4. Database Tools > Move Data > Access Database
 5. Compact Both
 6. Encrypt (make ACCDE file) for the Front End
 7. Distribute your Front End (ZIP and email, shared drive, AccessUpdater)

TIPS FOR SPLIT DATABASES:
Try not to open ALL records (use a search form)
Create data entry forms
Avoid aggregate queries and functions like DLOOKUP
Use TOP X queries to limit records returned

QUESTIONS:
Please feel free to post your questions or comments below. Thanks.