Sharing Access Databases

Here's a breakdown of why sharing an Access database directly on OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive is problematic and what alternatives to consider:

Why it's not recommended:

• Synchronization Issues:

  OneDrive synchronizes files by downloading and uploading the entire file. When multiple users are working on the same Access database, this can lead to conflicts and overwrites as each user's changes are synced. 
• Performance Degradation:

  Opening and saving the entire database file repeatedly can cause significant performance issues, especially with larger databases. 
• Potential for Data Corruption:

  The frequent syncing and potential conflicts can lead to data corruption and loss. 

Recommended Alternatives:

1. 1. Split the Database:

   • Divide the Access database into a front-end (containing user interface elements like forms, reports, and queries) and a back-end (containing the data tables). 
   • Place the back-end on a shared network location (like a shared folder on a server or a NAS drive). 
   • Each user can then have a copy of the front-end on their local machine. 
   • This allows multiple users to work with the database concurrently without directly interfering with each other's changes. 
2. 2. Consider Cloud-Based Database Services:
3. • Cloud hosted MySQL database solutions offer scalable and reliable alternatives. 
   • These services are designed to handle concurrent access and data management efficiently. 
   • They can be more complex to set up initially but offer long-term benefits for larger or more complex databases. 
4. In summary, while OneDrive can be convenient for sharing various file types, it's not the right tool for sharing Access databases due to synchronization and performance limitations. Splitting the database and using a cloud-based database solution is a better option for multi-user database sharing.

Parts is a split Access Database with a front-end application that supports both Local Access databases and remote cloud hosted MySQL databases.

Contact Parts for an online demo or to discuss how to create a shared Altium database library.

Randy Clemmons