How would I create a new version of a file in a "repository".

Question

I'm working on a project where I deal with forms from the government.  Occasionally, these forms change and I need to overwrite the existing file with a new version.  I then need to be able to identify whether or not an applicant has filled out the most recent version.  I have no issue with the second part of this, but wondering how I can "check in" the newest version, such that it updates the version of my form.

Thank you!

---

Thanks for your help!!

Answer 1

Hi,

Are you referring to Access Forms?

Answer 2

Sure!

Actually, I'm open to any suggestions you may have.  This is an Access application.

---

Thanks for your help!!

Answer 3

Okay, when you say "government forms," what are you referring to? When the government changes the forms, is it a matter of adding and deleting fields for your tables? If so, then you can tell if the user is using the latest form if they provided data for a field not existing before.

Hope it helps...

Answer 4

So, I'm all set with the logic to make sure the user (if still active) is using the latest form.

What is challenging me, is a fairly usable interface to "overwrite" an existing form, and update the version (just by increment) at the same time.  I don't want the user of the system to have to go in and change table values.

---

Thanks for your help!!

Answer 5

Hi,

If you're trying to overwrite an Access Form, then you should be able to simply use DoCmd.DeleteObject to remove the old form and then use DoCmd.TransferDatabase to publish the new form.

Will this work for you?

Answer 6

By the way... When I need to "update" the Front End with a new version because a Form in it has changed, I usually just replace the whole Front End file rather than "pluck" the old objects and replace them with new ones. I think this approach simplify things because I don't have to worry about maybe missing an object or two.

Just my 2 cents...

Answer 7

I think I may have not been clear when asking my original question.  I download forms from a gov't website for use by my customer.  When these gov't forms change, I need to download the new version, but also be able to alert the user if the form has changed.

I think I've settled on an approach - not super elegant, but think it'll do.

Create a "work" folder.  When I launch my Access form, it will populate a table with the contents of the folder, prompt the users for some input and then process from there.  The user will have to start by populating the "work" folder.

One last question if I could...

This seems to work - I get a form with my first column populated with my file names.

However, when I select a value for the other two (unbound) fields (comboboxes), every record gets populated with this value - not what I want.

---

Thanks for your help!!

Answer 8

Hi,

You're use of the generic term "Form" caused a bit of a confusion for me, that's why I asked what you were referring to. So, I guess you were referring to maybe PDF forms and not Access forms then, correct?

As for your question, you will have to use "bound" controls to keep the value separate for each record. Unbound controls is shared among all the records, so any value you assign to it applies to all records.

Hope it helps...

Answer 9

Thanks so much!

---

Thanks for your help!!

Answer 10

Hi,

You're welcome! Good luck with your project.