Access Adapter
The Access Adapter in FlowHeater is responsible for the direct connection to data in Microsoft Access databases. The Adapter makes it possible to import, export and update data in MDB, MDE, ACCDB and ACCDE Access databases. Support is provided for Microsoft Office Access versions 97, 2000, 2002 (XP), 2003 and 2007.
Note: Note: Microsoft Access ADP and ADE database projects are not supported by the Access Adapter; you should use the SQL Server Adapter for these instead.
General tab
You specify the path (absolute or relative) to the MS Access database here. If the database is protected with a password, you can optionally enter it here. If you want to store the password it is necessary to check the "Save Password" option here. Note: The password is stored in the Definition data in encrypted form.
When the Adapter is being used on the WRITE side (right-hand side), in the lower half of this tab you can specify what actions the Access Adapter should take during an import (insert/update) into the MS Access database.
Common
Insert data: When this option is checked, SQL Insert statements are generated.
Ignore existing records: During an import and when this option is checked, records that already exist in the table are ignored.
Empty the table before importing: When this is checked you tell the Access Adapter to empty the contents of the table prior to running the import, effectively deleting all existing rows.
Update data: When this option is checked, SQL Update statements are generated. Note: If both the Insert and Update options are checked, the Access Adapter checks whether an SQL Update or Insert should be generated in each instance, by reference to the PrimaryKey. Tip: If you are certain there is only data to insert then avoid checking the Update option, as this will make the process significantly faster.
No updates or inserts to data, only generate an SQL script: When this option is checked, it signals the Access Adapter to make no inline changes to the database, but instead to store an SQL script with Insert and/or Update statements. This is useful for testing during development and for subsequent application to the database. If this option is checked you should also check the option below and enter the filename that the SQL statements are to be stored in.
Generate SQL script: This option instructs the Access Adapter to store the change statements (Insert, Update) as an SQL script file with the specified name and path.
Fields / Data types tab
SQL: data available varies according to the side of the Adapter in use:
On the READ side: here you can choose from Tables and Views.
On the WRITE side: only Tables are available.
On the READ side you also have the possibility to enter complex SQL statements in the text field. Table joins must be defined by hand. In the second combo box the tables and views are listed that are available in the specified Access database.
Fields: When you click the Load Schema button, information is retrieved from the database schema (field names, field sizes, data types, primary key, etc.) for the SQL statement above. The information about the fields is then loaded into the field list to the left of this button.
Note: The fields in the field list can be ordered in any sequence required. Fields that are not required can either be temporarily disabled here (tick removed) or simply deleted.
Field properties: How the properties of Primary Key and Auto Increment for the currently highlighted field are to be interpreted are adjusted. This information is only required on the WRITE side. No changes are needed here generally, since the correct information is usually obtained directly from the schema.
A PrimaryKey field is used in an Update to identify record that possibly exists.
Auto Increment fields are neither assigned nor amended in Insert/Update statements.
Warning: If you make changes here it can result in more than one record being updated with an Update!
Data types not supported
The Access OLE Object data type is not supported by the Access Adapter. The Long Integer data type is only supported for 31 signed bits (decimal integers ranging from -2,147,483,648 to +2,147,483,647). If you do expect values that exceed this range, which is generally unusual in MS Access, you must set the data type of the respective field to Double in the Access Adapter manually. Note: In so doing you will probably want to zero the decimal place accuracy in the numeric format settings. For an example of this see the description of the Format Heater.
Adapter settings in the Format tab
Examples
- Importing a CSV text file into Access
- Generating mass test data for an MS Access database table
- Importing several CSV text files at the same time in a batch
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