The article provides easy tips to verify the integrity in an MS Access Database
Microsoft Access has become one of the important software in big enterprises and small scale businesses. Software developers and data architects use MS Access to develop powerful application software and with the added support of VBA language, it has become widely popular and useful. There are many enterprises which solely rely on Access for better decision making, order management, data keeping and other related operations. Thus, the integrity of the database plays a critical role in data management.
You can’t expect to have errors and data redundancy in database at bigger level of data management, and so it’s essential to take measures to improve security and quality of your database.
The article will shed light on some of the easiest and quickest tips that can help users in maintaining the integrity of an MS Access Database.
Reviewing of database and Error Handling
It’s essential to review your database for its functionality and quality and especially in those sections which are more likely to contain issues. A small error can cause severe data issues in a database, and if it goes unnoticed, it can lead to drastic results at later stages.
For example, an outdated address record can circulate multiple times in a database, causing duplicates and errors and further leading problems in shipments and product delivery. Furthermore, all the data which is linked to this record and the generated reports will be inaccurate and inconsistent.
To avoid such cases, it’s advised to rectify such errors at initial stages. MS Access provides the options to create queries that can trace duplicates and users can then remove them. Data administrators should focus of those potential fields/places which are more likely to encounter such errors.
Securing your Database
Adding extra securities to your database to prevent misuse and potential illegal access to unwanted users is important for the integrity of the database. Without proper protection, data can get corrupted and modified without permission.
Users can use AutoExec Macro to reset settings which might have been changed during last session. It’s recommended to always keep your local database password protected to avoid unwanted access from unauthorized users. Access users can simply enable the password protection from the security section under Tools menu.
Database splitting is also useful in data security as it allows access to only trusted users. It can be used with the help of database splitter feature in Access.
Backing up the Database
MS Access databases should be effectively backed up to maintain the integrity and also recover Access data if needed.
Data administrators should focus on reliable methods to back up the data and also to monitor the quality and efficiency of these backups. Double coverage of database is harmless and in many cases can prevent major interruptions from occurring.
These are basically three easy to follow steps that you can bring into practice to secure your data and add protection layers to your database. They should be regularly maintained and used to ensure the integrity of your database.
Author Introduction:
Vivian Stevens is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including repair sql and excel recovery software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com
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