1. Lesson 6: Protecting, Maintaining and Managing Databases

2. Lesson Objectives Rename database objects View object dependencies
Delete database objects
Split databases
Work with the Linked Table Manger
Merge databases
Open databases in various modes
Encrypt and password-protect databases
Back up databases
Recover data from backup files
Compact and repair databases
Set startup options
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3. Open Modes for Databases
You can specify the open mode by selecting it from the Open drop-down list
Shared
Opens a database with shared access; you and others can read and write to the database.
Read-Only
Opens the database for you with read-only access; other users can still read and write to the database.
Exclusive
Opens the database exclusively for you; other users cannot open the database.
Exclusive Read-Only
Opens the database exclusively for you with read-only access.
Show Previous Versions
Searches for previous versions of the selected database file.
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4. Encrypting and Password-protecting a Database
Adding a database password is a simple way of controlling access to the database
When you add a password to a database file, the file is automatically encrypted
It is critical that you remember the database password – if you do not, your data cannot be retrieved
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5. Maintaining Database Files
Perform regular backups
Routinely compact and repair
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6. Backing Up a Database Perform regular database backups
A backup is simply a copy of a database file
By default, Access appends a date to the database file name
Create a backup of your database before making changes to its design
The Backup command is available on the Save As tab
select the Backup Database option
click the Save As command button
click the Save button in the Save As dialog box
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7. Recovering Data from a Backup
Because a backup is simply a copy of a database file, you can:
Copy and paste individual objects
Import individual objects
Replace the corrupted database file with the backup (if appropriate)
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8. Compacting and Repairing
Regular compacting
reduces the file size after objects or records have been deleted
can improve performance
Use the Compact & Repair Database command on the Info tab in Backstage view
You can also set a database to automatically run the Compact & Repair Database command each time it is closed
If a database becomes corrupted, Access will prompt you to allow it to automatically run the Compact & Repair Database command when you try to open the file
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9. Managing Databases Setting startup options Renaming objects
Deleting objects
Splitting databases
Merging databases
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10. Setting Startup Options
Startup options include:
Configuring the database to automatically open a form when the database opens
Suppressing the display of the Navigation Pane
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11. Renaming Database Objects
To rename an object, right-click it in the Navigation Pane, select Rename, type a new name, then press Enter
The Name AutoCorrect feature keeps track of name changes, and updates references to renamed objects
If you turn off the Name AutoCorrect feature, keep in mind that other objects may depend on the object you are renaming, and you will need to manually update references to the renamed objects
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12. Object Dependencies and Deleting Database Objects
To delete an object, select it in the Navigation Pane, press the Delete key, then confirm the deletion
Referential integrity rules prevent the deletion of tables that are related to other tables in the database (providing a built-in failsafe against mistakenly deleting tables that you need)
Other database objects are not protected by referential integrity rules
You should view object dependencies before deleting database objects
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13. Viewing Object Dependencies
Open the object or select it in the Navigation Pane, in the Ribbon click Database Tools, then click Object Dependencies to open the Object Dependencies pane
You can view objects that depend on the currently selected object, or view objects upon which the currently selected object depends
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14. Working with Split Databases
When you split a database, you reorganize it into two files
a back-end database that contains the data tables, and
a front-end database that contains all the other database objects such as queries, forms, and reports.
Each user interacts with the data by using a local copy of the front-end database
Only the data is shared (and subsequently sent across the network)
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15. Considerations Always back up a database before you split it
Splitting a database can take a long time
If your database is protected with a password, the new back-end database will be created without a password
Everyone who uses the database must have a version of Microsoft Access that is compatible with the file format of the back-end database
Use the Linked Table Manager to change or update the links to the back-end database that you use
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16. Splitting a Database You can manually split your database by:
copying it, then
designating one copy as the “back-end” and deleting all the non-table objects from it, then
designating the other copy as the “front-end” and deleting all the tables from it, then
opening the front-end and using Get External Data to link to the tables stored in the back-end
Or, you can use the Microsoft Access Database Splitter wizard
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17. Using the Linked Table Manager
Use the Linked Table Manager to view, refresh or change the path to linked tables
You use the Linked Table Manager from the front-end database
To open the Linked Table Manager, click the External Data tab in the Ribbon, then in the Import & Link group, click Linked Table Manager
Select the table or tables whose links you want to refresh, then click OK
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18. Merging Databases
To create a merged database from two separate database files:
Create a new blank database, open it then click the External Data tab in the Ribbon. In the Import & Link group, click Access to start the Import wizard.
Browse to the first database that contains objects you want to import, select the objects, then click OK to import the selected objects.
Run the Import wizard a second time using the second database that contains objects you want to import.
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19. Lesson Summary Rename database objects View object dependencies
Delete database objects
Split databases
Work with the Linked Table Manger
Merge databases
Open databases in various modes
Encrypt and password-protect databases
Back up databases
Recover data from backup files
Compact and repair databases
Set startup options
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20. Review Questions
Joan has forgotten the password for an Access database she created three months ago. Which of the following would provide the best chance for her to access her data?
The Undo command.
The Microsoft Knowledge Base.
A phone conversation with a Microsoft technical support expert.
The most recent backup file that has not been password-protected.
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21. Review Questions
Ken wants to “clean up” his database file by removing non-essential database objects. There are several queries and forms that he believes are no longer relevant. How should he proceed?
Ken can view the object dependencies for each object in question, and then delete them if no other objects depend on them.
Ken can delete each object he thinks is no longer necessary; if it turns out that he still needs them, he can undo the deletions.
Ken can set the database to compact and repair on close. Compacting removes any unnecessary database objects.
Ken can split the database into a front-end and back-end; splitting the database removes any unnecessary database objects.
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22. Review Questions
What information is automatically appended to a database file name when you back up the database?
The IP address of the system on which the database resides.
The data of the backup.
The path to the database server where the database resides.
The name of the person performing the backup.
Which of the following statements about ACCDE databases is true?
Users cannot print reports in an ACCDE database.
Users cannot read table data in an ACCDE database.
Users cannot change the design of forms or reports in an ACCDE database.
Users cannot enter or edit data in an ACCDE database.
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23. Review Questions
Which of the following is true about a database backup file?
A database backup file is automatically saved in ACCDE format.
A database backup file is simply a copy of the database.
The path to the database server where the database resides.
A database backup file can only be opened using a specialized Backup/Recovery application.
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