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Compact Data File

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Overview

This topic only applies to Microsoft Access databases. Use the appropriate SQL Management Suite tools to perform maintenance on an SQL database.  

The Order Manager provides a mechanism for the user to easily compact their store file, which is an MS Access database. Access databases gradually grow in size to accommodate new information that is added. However, MS Access does not automatically shrink the file as information is deleted. This causes the database to function inefficiently. The Compact Data File function recovers unused bytes left over from deleted information and rebuilds all the indexes in the database (store data file).

This mechanism only acts on the Order Manager store file and OMTemp databases, not the Order Manager program file (SEOrdMan2007.mdb, etc.). However, the same process can be run manually against a program file. Refer to the Knowledge Base topic, Compact and Repair Database, for more information.

The Compact Data File function is accessible on the Maintenance tab of the Maintenance Menu, or via the Quick Clicks on the Main Menu, if the user has not removed it.

Compact the Store Data File

  1. Before proceeding, make sure all instances of the Order Manager are closed.

  2. Close any shipping software that may be accessing the data file.

  3. Re-open the Order Manager on one workstation.

  4. As a precaution, use the Backup Data File link in the Quick Clicks menu or Maintenance Menu to make a copy of your data file before beginning the compaction process.

  5. When the backup is complete, click the Compact Data File link.

  6. Respond [OK] to the confirmation message box to proceed with the compaction process, or click [Cancel] to abort the request before compaction occurs.

  7. Make a new backup copy of the newly compacted data file.

Note: It is strongly recommended that an Access database (store file) is compacted on a weekly basis. The process can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes or more, depending on the size of the file.

Troubleshooting

 

Related Topics

Created:  1/26/11

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