ACC97: Changes to Design of Linked Table Saved If Data Modified

• Microsoft Access 97

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

When you make certain changes to the design of a linked table, the changes are saved, even though you are prompted with the following message:

   Microsoft Access can't save property changes for linked tables.

   Do you want to continue anyway?

CAUSE

Design changes to linked tables are saved if changes are also made to the data in the table, and the changes do not affect any of the following properties:

• FieldSize
• DefaultValue
• ValidationRule
• ValidationText
• Required
• AllowZeroLength

RESOLUTION

When prompted with the message "Microsoft Access can't save property changes for linked tables. Do you want to continue anyway?", click No. This will prevent you from making unwanted changes to the design of your tables.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Open a new database and create a link to the Categories table in the sample database Northwind.mdb.

2. Open the linked Categories table in Design view. Click Yes when prompted with the message "Table 'Categories' is a linked table. Some properties can't be modified. Do you want to open it anyway?".

3. Change the Picture field data type to Text.

4. On the View menu, click Datasheet.

5. Click Yes when prompted with the message "You must first save the table. Do you want to save the table now?".

6. Click Yes when prompted with the message "Microsoft Access can't save property changes for linked tables. Do you want to continue anyway?".

   Note that the table is opened in Datasheet view, and the Picture column has been changed to Text.

7. Type a new record in the table. Close and save the table.

8. Reopen the table. Note that the table has been modified with the new data type.

REFERENCES