I'm working on a database that has no tables only forms

[ratedaargh]

I have been employed by a company to update their database.

The old database was not on access, but the data can be exported to excel

When I opened the new Access database, there was only form, no tables.

How can you create tables for a database that already has forms, isn't this working backwards, and extremely difficult if you did not design the database.

[NeoPa]

That really all depends on various information you haven't shared with us.

At the least I expect it would be a complicated process though.

If you're actually after some advice though, you'll need to share a bit more detailed information of your problem with us I'm afraid.

[ADezii]

@ratedaargh

1. Does this Form have 1 or several Sub-Forms? This would be an indication of what prior Table Relationships may have been.
2. See if the Form has a Record Source Property. You may luck out and see an SQL Statement which would indicate exactly what the Data Source for the Form was and the Tables involved.
3. See if each Control on the Form has a Control Source Property which would indicate to which Field each Control was Bound.

[Delerna]

Could it be possible that the database does actually have tables but you can't see them because they are hidden.

In Access if you right click on a table and select properties.
There is a "hidden" option in there that, if checked, will hide the table from view.

If this is the case you will need to go to
tools/options/view and check the "hidden objects" option.

Its a pretty lame way of preventing users from directly accessing sensitive tables. Lame because it relies on the user not knowning how to force them to be shown.

[ADezii]

@Delerna
Very good point Delerna, one that should have been my first! (LOL)!

[ratedaargh]

thankyou everyone, I have since found the tables, They were hidden, and while they are significantly lacking, they are there! The database is going along fine and dandy like.

While I was mucking around on the first day i created some more tables, which I now do not need, but can't seem to get rid of them. This seems like a totally lameo question, but how the hell do I delete tables, I can delete the records in the tables, but not the table!

[NeoPa]

From the Database window select the Tables pane. Select a table then hit the Del key.

[ratedaargh]

yeah you'd think it would be that simple, but these tables just won't delete, I hit the delete key so many times my puter froze!

[NeoPa]

In that case there must be something non-standard about your database or the tables themselves. Obviously, without that information we cannot easily help you (as, whatever the difference is, you haven't shared with us yet).

If the database is not too large why not attach it and I'll have a look and see what I can see. When attaching your work please follow the following steps first :

1. Remove anything not relevant to the problem. This is not necessary in all circumstances but some databases can be very bulky and some things do not effect the actual problem at all.
2. If you've done anything in step 1 then make sure that the problem you're experiencing is still evident in the cut-down version.
3. Compact the database.
4. Put the database into a ZIP file.
5. When posting, select Manage Attachments and add this new ZIP file.

[ratedaargh]

unfortunatly I can not send you the database as that would be breaching the companies security, I'll just have to keep on trying. Yes there seems to be somethign non-standard about it indeedy!

thanks for your help

[ADezii]

@ratedaargh
Here is a real looooooooooooooooooong shot, but it still is worth a try. Attempt to DELETE your Tables programmatically by passing their Names as a Comma-Delimited String to a Public Sub-Routine as follows:

1. Sub-Routine Definition
   

   Public Sub DeleteTables(strTables As String)
   On Error Resume Next
   Dim varTables As Variant
   Dim intCounter As Integer
    
   varTables = Split(strTables, ",")
    
   For intCounter = LBound(varTables) To UBound(varTables)
     CurrentDb.TableDefs.Delete varTables(intCounter)
   Next
    
   RefreshDatabaseWindow
   End Sub

2. Sample Call to DeleteTables()
   

   Call DeleteTables("Table1,Table2,Table3,Table4,tblTest")

[Megalog]

Be sure to remove any table Relationships defined in the database as well (Database Tools->Relationships). If you try to delete a table that is part of a relationship, it should warn you first. Maybe this warning isnt appearing for some reason, and therefore nothing happens when hitting delete?

[NeoPa]

@ratedaargh
To be honest, from a database we may be able to find the problem, but there's no guarantee really.

Normally though, as we too would like you to remove anything irrelevant before posting, I would have thought a sanitised copy would pass most security procedures. You know best of course. We can only talk generally.

Good luck anyway :)

[NeoPa]

So much good posting since I last refreshed.

Megalog's idea is well worth testing. If this proves to be the case then you should look at setting warnings back on (I'll cover that).

ADezii's code is good for the whole job. A quick test of the viability of this would be (Copy and paste this into the Immediate Pane of your IDE) :

Call DoCmd.SetWarnings(True)
Call CurrentDb.TableDefs("TableName").Delete

Make sure you replace "TableName" with a string containing a valid table from your database that you want deleted.

[ratedaargh]

hi all, back to original question,

How do I find the tables?????

I found them last week by accident, but since have lost them again and can't remember how it was done! I can't find a tools/option/hidden files menu. Attached is a screen grab of what the menue looks like, any suggestions to get my tables back???????

[NeoPa]

I looked at the screenshot, but I have no idea why you posted it. It has no relevance that I can understand.

Anyway, try F11 to see your Database Window.

[ratedaargh]

Thank you, i don't know why i put the screen shot on either, just trying all angles!

[NeoPa]

@ratedaargh
I can understand that ;)

I assume that the F11 worked for you then?

[ratedaargh]

yes, amazing how one keystroke can make your day! once again, thankyou lifesaver NeoPa