ACC97: Copying Linked Table Does Not Create Local Table

• Microsoft Access 97

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

When you copy and paste a linked table in Microsoft Access 97, the resulting new table is also a linked table. This occurs if you use the Copy and Paste commands on the Edit menu, the Save As/Export command on the File menu, or the CopyObject macro action or Visual Basic method.

CAUSE

This behavior differs from earlier versions of Microsoft Access, which create a local table when you copy and paste a linked table.

RESOLUTION

When you want to create a local copy of a linked table, use a Make Table query based on the original linked table as follows:

1. Start Microsoft Access and create a new blank database.

2. On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Link Tables.

3. In the Link dialog box, locate and select the sample database Northwind.mdb, and then click Link.

4. In the Link Tables dialog box, select the Customers table, and then click OK. This creates a linked table in your database called Customers.

5. Create the following new query in Design view based on the Customers table:

         Query: MakeCustomers
         ----------------------
         Type: Make Table Query
   

         Field: Customers.*
            Table: Customers
   
   

6. On the Query menu, click Make-Table Query.

7. In the Make Table dialog box, type LocalCustomers in the Table Name box, and then click OK.

8. On the Query menu, click Run. Click Yes when prompted if you are sure you want to create a new table.

9. Close the query. It is not necessary to save the query.

   Note that your database contains a new local table called LocalCustomers with the same data and structure as the linked Customers table.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Perform steps 1 - 4 in the "Resolution" section.

2. Select the linked Customers table in the Database window.

3. On the Edit menu, click Copy.

4. On the Edit menu, click Paste.

5. In the Paste Table As dialog box, type CopyOfCustomers in the Table Name box, and then click OK.

   Note that the CopyOfCustomers table is also a linked table, which is linked to the same source table as the Customers table.

REFERENCES

For more information about using the CopyObject action or method, search the Help Index for "CopyObject action" or "CopyObject method."