Chapter 21: Building Multiuser Applications
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The only other information that the Database Splitter requires is where you want to put the back-
end database. Figure 21.5 shows the familiar Explorer-style Create Back-end Database dialog box
that lets you specify the location of the back-end .accdb file. By default, the back-end database
has the same name as the original database with a _be suffix added to the name (for example,
MyDB_be.accdb).Tip
Plan to put the back end exactly where it will reside in the production environment. Because the front-end
database will contain links to the back-end database, and because links are path-specific, the links would have
to be refreshed if the back end were moved after being built by the Database Splitter.
FIGURE 21.5Specify the permanent location of the back-end database in the Create Back-end Database dialog box.
When you click on the Split button (refer to Figure 21.5), the Database Splitter creates the back-
end database, exports all tables to it, deletes the tables in the local database, and creates links to the
back-end tables. In other words, the Database Splitter performs precisely the same steps you’d have
to perform manually if the Database Splitter weren’t available.Note
Be prepared for this process to take a little while, especially on large databases. Because Access has to create
the new database, transfer tables to it, and create the links back to the original database, the splitting process
can easily require more than a few minutes. Don’t worry if the process appears to be taking longer than you
expect — you’ll be well rewarded for your efforts!
Also, keep in mind that the Database Splitter is rather simplistic, and tends to ignore system considerations
such as available disk space. Make sure adequate disk space exists on the target machine to accommodate the
back-end database.