Question

I have an Access 2003 database MDB where all of the tables exist as linked tables within SQL Server 2005. The MDB file contains all of the ODBC information that points to the correct SQL Server and log-on credentials (trusted connection).

What I would like to do is add a new linked table to the MDB file however I am not sure how to go about specifying the ODBC connection information. When I try to add a new linked table I keep getting prompted to locate or create a DSN file. I don’t want to have to create a new DSN entry on every machine, rather I would like all that information stored within the Access MDB file itself.

In the existing database I can “hover” over the table names and see the ODBC connection info as a tool-tip. All I need to do is add another linked table using the same connection information.

I do have access to the SQL Server where the tables are linked to,. I have already created the new table I wanted to add. I just need to find a way to link to it.

Answer 1

You can use the connection string from an existing table, or you can do something like:

''This is a basic connection string, you may need to consider password and so forth
cn = "ODBC;DSN=TheDSNName;Trusted_Connection=Yes;APP=Microsoft Office 2010;DATABASE=TheDatabaseName;"

There are a few was to connect a table:

sLocalName = "TABLE_SCHEMA" & "_" & "TABLE_NAME"

With CurrentDb
    If DLookup("Name", "MSysObjects", "Name='" & sLocalName & "'") <> vbNullString Then
        If .TableDefs(sLocalName).Connect <> cn Then
            .TableDefs(sLocalName).Connect = cn
            .TableDefs(sLocalName).RefreshLink
        End If
    Else
        ''If the table does not have a unique index, you will neded to create one
        ''if you wish to update.
        Set tdf = .CreateTableDef(sLocalName)
        tdf.Connect = cn
        tdf.SourceTableName = "TABLE_NAME"
        .TableDefs.Append tdf
        .TableDefs.Refresh
    End If
End With

This will produce a message box if the table does not have a unique index

  DoCmd.TransferDatabase acLink, "ODBC Database", cn, acTable, "TABLE_NAME", sLocalName