can’t save property changes for linked tables (Acc

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I am looking at what I feel is a very simple acces sdatabase.
3 tables.
2 queries
4 forms.
I am trying to add a “unique number” field (Autonumber) to each of three tables, for reporting purposes during database-cleanup, but who knows, could come in handy down the road.
I broke the one relationship between two tables, and can add an AutoNumber field to each of those two tables.
When I try to add an autonumber field to the third table i am offered the error message “can’t save property changes for linked tables” and cannot save the modified table.
I have examined (at my relatively novice level) each of the tables, forms and queries and can’t see any real objection to adding an extra field; I’m not trying to change an existing field.

I’d appreciate some help in overcoming this hurdle.
FWIW the database was delivered to me by email in a ZIP file, and appears to work quite well, so I’m supposing that I have all the files I ought to have; that is, that I’m not missing some vital component.

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Are you trying to make changes to a linked table? If so you cant do that, you have to go to where the table is defined in a backend.

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>Are you trying to make changes to a linked table?

Yes, apparently, although I have no idea of a “linked table” in Access
Patt, thanks for the fast response

> If so you cant do that, you have to go to where the table is defined in a backend.
I understand a backend to be the database (table) where is stored the data, but I have what I think is the entire database here, 3 tables, data in each table.
The Forms and Queries show the data exactly as I expect.
I am not linked in anyway to the host site.
I unzipped the zip, into the recommended folder “C:Work Orders”.
I see two database files “WorkOrders.mdb” and “Employees.mdb”.
In both databases I choose Tools, Utilities, Linked table manager, and get the same response (snapshot).

I think my questions now are “(1) How do I locate these links”, closely followed by “(2) How do I unlink?”, and then, after I have added my new field, “(3) How do I relink?” – probably the reverse of step (2).

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This error message tels you there are no linked tables in the database, probably in both databases.
Which database are you tring to add the autonumber field to each table? Which table fails?.

Can you send a compacted, zipped copy of the database you are trying this in and let me know what table is failing to accept an autonumber field.

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Patt, thanks again.

> …no linked tables in the database, probably in both databases.
I was too close to the problem (and too much a novice in Access) to think of looking at the other-side-of-the-coin, i.e. the other database. Given a few years, I would have stumbled on it myself.
As you can see from my reply to John, problem solved. I was looking at the “wrong” table. The names might have given me a clue, in that I was trying to modify the ’employees” table in the ‘work” database, whene there was an “employees” database staring me in the face.
Thanks again.

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It looks to me like the database WorkOrders.mdb uses the table tblEmployees, that is actually located in Employees.mdb.

So in WorkOrders.mdb tblEmployees is a linked table, in Employees.mdb it is not .

So you should be able to change the design of the tblEmployees table if you open it from within Employees.mdb, but not if you open it from within WorkOrders.mdb.

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>change the design of the tblEmployees table if you open it from within Employees.mdb, but not if you open it from within WorkOrders.mdb.

Bingo! Thanks John.
I was dreading any kind of solution that involved dumping data from tables then re-importing them, or any other work-making solution.
With two tables the strategy seems to be, try one, then the other.
The general solution would be: Open each db that contains the table you’re trying to modify, and try.

I am hampered here by working on an orphaned project; a process of discovery.

Thanks again!

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