Computersight -

     You should always make a copy of your database. Especially if you decide to go back and make any changes to the structure. An example of something that could happen is if you decide to change or erase a table you had input into your database, it may result in lost data. Microsoft Access Essentials reports that is is also recommended that you periodically make a backup copy of your database in case it gets damaged.

     You should store the extra copy of the database on a different computer system or just on an off-site location. This way, if your original database gets damaged in any way, you will have a back-up and not be worried to death about redoing all the work again. And of course, the objects you put in your database, tables, forms, and reports, you can also copy those by simply using the copy and paste buttons in the database window.

     If you choose to copy your objects inside the database, its a good idea to do so before you make changes, that way, if it does not work out as planned, you can just restore the previous object you had.

     As you change or delete unwanted objects in the database, it may become fragmented. This can cause reduced performance in bigger databases that have a lot of transactions in them. What you can do to prevent or repair this is compacting your database. By compacting a database, it will enhance the performance as well as reduce the size of the file.

     It will also repair any internal problems encountered with the database. Below, I will show you the quickest way to compact and repair the database.

• Start access, but do not open the database
• Choose tools from the task bar at the top of the page
• Find Database Utilities, and click on it
• Then click on Compact and Repair Database from the menu bar.
• Find the database file you want to compact.
• Click the compact button
• You will be asked to enter a name for the database, you can use the same name you had before, but remember, it will replace your other database. If you do not want that, you can simply type in a different name.

I hope this helped you guys, because the first time I had a database to mess up, I was lost.