Copying Linked Data

At some point, you might decide that you want to have the data from a linked table stored directly in Access, instead of in its original application. No problem! Access 2003 lets you quickly copy a linked table to the local database. Follow these steps to see how this works:

1. Select the Tables shortcut in the database window.

2. Right-click the CatalogsFromExcelLinked linked table and select Copy.

3. Right-click in a blank area of the database window and select Paste.

4. In the Paste Table As dialog box, name the new table CatalogsFromExcelPasted . Select Structure and Data (Local Table) in the Paste Options section. Click OK to create the new table in Access.

5. Open the CatalogsFromExcelPasted table and you'll see that it contains all of the original data. You can verify from the table's icon in the database window that it's now a local table.

When you paste a linked table, the Paste Table As dialog box gives you four choices:

• Linked Table Creates a new link to the original data, and shows the link in the database window.

• Structure Only (Local Table) Creates a new empty table in Access, with the same fields as the linked table.

• Structure and Data (Local Table) Creates a new table in Access with the same fields as the linked table, and imports the linked data to the new table.

• Append Data to Existing Table Lets you add the data from the linked table to a table that already exists in your Access database.