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Access Linked Tables - Name Changes

Hi,

I have two access databases. The first (database A), is a reference database that simply stores a bunch of data in various tables. The second database (database B), is more of a "computational" database, that uses Linked Tables from database A and runs several different queries/calculations.

My question is this:
Is there anyway to change a table name in database A and automatically have database B recognize this name change in the linked tables and auto update all the queries in database B appropriately? It seems like the answer is no based on what I'm reading online but I figured I would ask the experts...

Thanks.

Brett

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Gustav Brock

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Bcn78

ASKER

Got it. That makes sense.

Thanks.

Dale Fye

Not really. Here is the way I would approach it (you don't happen to have Find & Replace do you?)

1. Rename the table in the backend (database A)
2. Open database B in design view
3. Refresh the link to the backend table with the following in the immediate window. After each of these lines, hit return to execute each statement.

set db = currentdb
set tdf = db.tabledefs(localTableName)
tdf.SourceTableName = NewName
tdf.refreshlink
set tdf = nothing
set db = nothing

When this is complete, you should be able to double click on the old table name and open the table.

4. Then change the name of the table in the front end (Database B)
5. Then, to replace references to that table in all of your saved queries, you can try the following. But before you do this, MAKE A BACKUP. Keep in mind, if your tables OldName is embedded in another table name, (like tbl_Clients and tbl_Clients_Family) this is not going to work.

Public Sub ReplaceTableName(OldName, NewName)

Dim db as dao.database
Dim qdf as dao.querydef
Dim strMsg as string

Set db = currentdb
For each qdf in in db.querydefs

    if instr(qdf.sql, OldName) > 0 then
        strmsg = "Warning: using using replace to change the " & vbcrlf _
               & "text of a query could cause the query to stop" & vbcrlf _
               & "functioning properly!" & vbcrlf & vbcrlf _
               & "Replace '" & OldName & "' with '" & NewName & "'" & vbcrlf _
               & "in query: " & qdf.name & vbcrlf & vbcrlf _
               & qdf.SQL
        if msgbox(strmsg, vbcritical + vbYesNo, "Replace string") = vbNo then
            debug.print qdf.name
        else
            qdf.sql = Replace(qdf.SQL, OldName, NewName)
            qdf.close
        end if
    end if

Next

End Sub

Open in new window

This also will not work for queries which are used as the RecordSource for forms or reports or as the RowSource for combo and list boxes if those queries are not saved queries.

HTH
Dale

Dale Fye

"But all you need is to link the new table name, then rename the table link to the previous name, thus all queries and code can remain unchanged."

Yes, but if you do it that way, it could be confusing down the road when you go looking for the old table name in Database A, because that will no longer be available. And people rarely consider that the LocalTableName and the ForeignTableName are not the same.

1. You could download Rick Fisher's Find & Replace, I believe it has a 30 day trial, that is the best method. Unfortunately, Rick has not been replying to request for license codes lately, so if you become enamored with his tool, you may not be able to use it for more than 30 days.
2. Gustav's method is obviously the easiest way to accomplish this, but... (see comments above)
3. The method I described in my previous post will work for saved queries, with the caveats mentioned in that post.