I have developed an MSAccess database at work, and now they want to have it (read only) on our work website.
The “specialists” who have created the website (not me) gave me a place to upload a daily back up copy of our database (we do not need to have the live database connected) but they have only set it up for someone to be able to then download a complete zipped copy of the db for use on that person’s desktop. We don’t want that for a multitude of reasons.
Ideally, we would like someone in another office, out of state, to be able to go on our website, use the password, go in and use the MS Access database as if they were in our office and maybe print out a report. No data input or deletions on their part.
How difficult is this to do? Again, I do not work on websites, but if someone can point me to a simple tutoral, or give me some guidance, I would be very grateful.
It sounds like your web site gurus are making your Access database available only as a downloadable file. That being the case, anyone with the specific URL should be able to download the database to their own computer and run it using their own copy of Access.
This is completely different than have a database-driven web site using Access (something I would not recommend based upon the scenario you illustrated).
Duckster, that is exactly the problem. These “gurus” seem to have limited abilities, and have set it up poorly.
All we want is a “read only” copy of the database, somewhat “hidden” on our website (and password protected) so that only those we want to be able to go in and see, and print out a few reports, will be able to do so. And only they will even know that it is there.
I don’t think it’s that the gurus set it up poorly… I think that what you describe is not an easy thing to do. I could be wrong, but I don’t think that Access is particularly Web-aware. You seem to think this is a trivial task, but I don’t believe it is.
Of course, Access isn’t exactly my specialty - someone may come along and prove me wrong. But last time I checked there was no way to easily do what you describe with Access.
Seems like there might be a communication problem here… what exactly are you expecting.
An access database, the way you’re describing, cannot really be ‘on’ a website… it can be posted on a website, but since you cannot access it with any traditional web browser (afaik) you don’t get the sensation that it’s really part of the site.
The users would follow a link, download your database (since they’re generally big files you notice the download time,) and open it up locally on their computers – assuming that they have access or the access runtime version. Otherwise they’ll get a message that the file type could not be opened.
hiding and security is a seperate issue. Any file on the web can only be hidden as well as its address can be hidden - once somebody has seen it, they will know what location to go to try downloading it again. If you can keep casual surfers from seeing the link, you can keep the file itself hidden, except for word of mouth.
More complicated techniques (CGI or ASP) need to be used for password security… these should work here, as long as your tech guys know how to use a password protection routine to deliver a large binary file.
But I repeat, none of this will have the effect of going to the site and wow, you’re using the access database, except it’s completely inside your access browser. I don’t think. (Might want to look up ‘data access pages’ in your access database online help, though I’m not sure that’s relevant to what you’re doing.)