New Features in Versions X.7 for Microsoft Access 2003, 2002, and 2000

Many enhancements were made for comparing ADPs objects.

• For two ADP comparisons, a new process compares properties that aren't in MDBs
• In an ADP, two tables can be now be compared
  • Includes examination of extended properties
  • Supports data comparison
  • Supports combining data into a new table

New features let you better control the comparisons you generate.

Case Insensitive Module Comparison

For module comparisons, in addition to ignoring indentations, you can now Ignore Case. This lets you avoid flagging differences due to mismatched capital and lower case letters.

This option is also available for the Text Comparison feature.

Separate Table Object and Data Comparisons

When comparing two tables, you can compare either the table design or data, or both. Previously, the design was always compared.

Text Comparison Feature for Two Database Comparison

The text comparison feature, which was previously only available under the two object comparison add-in, is now available on the two database comparison side as well.

Compare Tables with Different Fields

Previously, data could only compared if the two tables had identical field definitions. There are now several options to compare tables:

• Compare fields by order regardless of field names
• Compare identical field names regardless of order
• Treat the first field of non-keyed tables as unique

Compare Data Between Queries

Data from two queries can now be compared with an option to specify whether to perform a sequential search or use the first field as a key field.

Ignore Small Differences Between Numbers

Specify whether you want to see all numeric differences, or differences that exceed a certain percentage. This lets you avoid small rounding errors and immaterial differences.

Data Comparison with Field by Field Results

Previously, during data comparison, modified records were only displayed as individual records listing all the modified fields in one record. This is now supplemented with an additional table listing each field difference as a separate record showing the two values.

More information: Comparing Data in Access Tables and Queries.

General Enhancements

Screen flashing is eliminated when comparing forms, reports, and modules. This lets you minimize Total Access Detective while it’s processing.

Last Analysis Results are Preserved

Previously, once you closed the results of your comparison, your analysis was gone. Now, a Last Analysis button retrieves the results. This is preserved even if you close the Total Access Detective add-in and return (provided your database remains the same).

Last Analysis is Available from the Add-in for Comparing Two Objects

Similarly, the last selected object names are preserved when you run Total Access Detective again.

Partial Comparison Results

If you cancel while the objects are being compared, the process stops and the incomplete results displayed rather than discarded.

This can be particularly helpful when comparing data and you decide to stop after it identifies a few differences and don’t need all the differences.

Results Shown in Separate Tabs

Object and other differences (data or modules behind forms/reports) are now shown on separate tabs:

Reduced Need to Prepare Databases

Previously, the Total Access Detective Prepare step was necessary before comparing modules between two databases. This is no longer needed when comparing MDB/ACCDB databases. Prepare is still required for ADPs.

Finish Button Eliminates Manual Selections

The Database Comparison wizard now has a Finish button on all its pages. Simply select the two databases and press Finish to compare all the identically names objects. It skips the subsequent Wizard pages, and uses the previously specified values.

Command Line Support

To eliminate manually selecting the database and options, a Windows shortcut can pass the names of the two databases to compare. It then compares all the common objects in the two databases.

Support for Password Protected Databases

Objects in password protected databases are compared.

Reports for Two Database Comparison

Many new reports were added:

• Data Differences Fields Compared: shows the fields compared when an option other than identical structures is used
• Table Data Comparison Paired Fields: shows paired field values
• Portrait and Landscape reports for object comparison with better support for long object names and property values
• When viewing object differences, reports are available for the entire list or just the currently filtered list
• When viewing macro or module differences, reports are available for the entire list or just the current macro/module.
• List of available reports with their description and default file name when you export it.

Several reports were enhanced including:

• Data Differences Summary now shows total in addition to new, and modified number of records

Two Database Comparison: Report Selection Screen

New Reports for Two Object Comparison

• Portrait and Landscape reports are available to show object property differences. The reports are improved to better show long object names and property values
• Fields Compared for Data Differences: shows the fields compared when an option other than identical structures is used
• Field Differences of Modified Records: shows paired field values

Report Enhancements

A single report selection screen is used to select the reports, and print, preview, or export them.

Export Reports

Individual or multiple reports can be exported to a folder you specify in formats such as HTML, Snapshot, Text, or Word RTF.