ACC1x: Referential Integrity Error Message with Shared Databases

ID: Q95004

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1

SYMPTOMS

When you share databases in Microsoft Access and try to update a record that another user has already updated, your update fails and Microsoft Access generates the following message:


   Data has changed; Operation stopped.

When you choose OK, Microsoft Access generates the following write- conflict error message:

This record has been changed by another user since you started editing it. If you save the record, you will overwrite the changes the other user made.

You can choose one of three option buttons:

Save Record

Copy To Clipboard

Drop Changes

Copying your changes to the Clipboard allows you to look at the values the other user has entered and paste your own changes back into the table. However, when you choose Paste, your attempt fails and Microsoft Access generates the following referential integrity error message:

Can't delete or change record. Since related records exist in table "<Table Name>", referential integrity rules would be violated.

CAUSE

Your table is on the "one" side of a one-to-many relationship and the Enforce Referential Integrity check box is selected. These symptoms occur regardless of the field being edited.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access versions 1.0 and 1.1. This problem no longer occurs in Microsoft Access version 2.0.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

Open two instances of Microsoft Access. In each instance, open the sample database NWIND.MDB. Make sure that the database is not opened with exclusive access.

In each instance, open the Categories table.

In the first instance, change the Category Name field in the first record. Do not commit the change.

In the second instance, change the Category Name field in the first record. Commit the change by moving the indicator to a field in another record.

Restore the first instance and try to commit the change. Microsoft Access generates the first of the two error messages listed above. When the second error message appears, choose Copy To Clipboard.

Select the first record from the first instance of Microsoft Access. From the Edit menu, choose Paste.

Try to close the table. Microsoft Access generates the referential integrity error message listed above.

Additional query words: multiuser


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbusage RltRef 
Version           : 1.0 1.1
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: March 13, 1999