Oh, So That's How It Works!

HOW-TO: Link Tables in Microsoft Access 2000 and 2002 (XP)

David A. Gray, MBA
Chief Wizard, WizardWrx

This example illustrates connecting linked tables in Microsoft Access data base AUDITSIG.MDB to tables in another Microsoft Access data base, AUDITSG_Data_NEVER_Open_Directly.MDB. These instructions work for Acess 2000 and Access 2002 (Access XP).

Once you have the files installed, open AUDITSIG.MDB and navigate to the Linked Table Manager, as shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1 - Navigating to the Linked Table Manager in Access 2000 or 2002(XP).

When it opens, the Linked Table Manager window appears as shown in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2 - Initial State of Linked Table Manager

Click the button labeled “Select All,” which causes the display to change as shown in Figure 3 below.

Figure 3 - Linked Table Manager, showing all tables selected

Make certain that the tick box in the lower left corner, labeled “Always prompt for mew location” is cleared. When you press the OK button, a standard File Open dialog box displays, as shown in Figure 4 below.

Figure 4- Standard File Open Dialog for selecting location of file containing linked tables

If necessary, navigate to the directory where the data bases are stored. When you arrive and select the correct file, your screen should look like Figure 5 below.

Figure 5 - File Selection Window, showing correct data file selected

A few seconds after you click the Open button, the dialog box shown in Figure 6 below displays over the Linked Table Manager.

Figure 6 - Successful link confirmation dialog box

Clock the OK button to dismiss the notification dialog, then click the Close button on the Linked Table Manager dialog box.

Your data base is ready to use.