Split Database Issue - Microsoft Access Forum


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Split Database Issue

Thomas Carter

5 years ago

I created a database in Microsoft Access 365 from my desktop computer and placed it on a shared drive. I split the database, encrypted the database, and password protected the admin part of the database. So I have a be.accdb which is the backend part of the database holding only tables, a .accdb that is password protected and is admin use only for changes or upgrades, a .accde which is the encrypted file that is copied to each user desktop but when they try to open this file they receive the following; Drive Letter:\Name of Database_be.accdb is not a valid path. Make sure that the path name is spelled correctly and that you are connected to the server on which the file resides. Here is the kicker when I copy it to my desktop and open it I have no issues and all works as advertised. Do you have any idea as to why this does not work for other users but only works for me?

	Richard Rost @Reply 5 years ago
Hi Thomas. You have to make sure that backend folder is named EXACTLY the same thing on each workstation. You can use either drive letters or UNC paths like: Z:\Database \\SERVER\Database But every machine needs to call it the same thing. Verify on each of those machines that they can see the BE database file.

	Thomas Carter OP @Reply 5 years ago
It is not the BE database they are using the BE database has the tables only. The part of the database they are using is the .accde part of the database which would be the frontend. So, why does the backend need to be on each workstation?

	Richard Rost @Reply 5 years ago
Their front-end database CONNECTS to the back-end. That link has to be the same on every PC. When you split your database, you specify a location for the BE. That location has to LOOK the same to each workstation.

	Thomas Carter OP @Reply 5 years ago
Ok, now I am lost. I thought once the database was split I only had to copy the front-end (accde) to the users desktop and all would be good. I do not see a way of changing that information in the copy I have placed on the users desktop. What am I missing?

	Richard Rost @Reply 5 years ago
Watch the Split Database video again.

	Richard Rost @Reply 5 years ago
When you split the database, you have a FRONT END that links to a BACK END file. You can put the BACK END on your server, like Z:\Database. Your FRONT END still has to connect to that BACK END file to get the data (tables). You give everyone a copy of the front-end, yes, but they STILL have to have access to that SAME (shared) back-end folder.

	Richard Rost @Reply 5 years ago
See at time index 12:27 where I show that the back-end file is going on the Z:\ drive? That's my SERVER. Everyone needs to have that SAME drive letter and folder on their machines.

Adam Schwanz @Reply

5 years ago

I'm just going to repeat what Richard said, but maybe seeing it worded differently will help ;p

Say you have a shared location or mapped drive on your machine. We'll call the mapped drive is Z:\\ to get into the file servers folders where your back end is stored. The next machine can't have that location mapped to F:\\ or some other letter.

In our example assume that the full shared location of the backend is simply Z:\\AccessBackEnd, your other machine doesn't know what Z is unless it also has that location setup. It needs to use Z:\\AccessBackEnd to get to the file, it can't use F:\\AccessBackEnd.

I would suggest using GPO to map the same letter shared location to all of your workstations, or using the servers hostname for the shared address, like \\SERVERNAME\AccessBackEnd or whatever network location you have.

	Richard Rost @Reply 5 years ago
Yeah... what he said. :)

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