Info Path 2010 read and update accdb with Sharepoint Online

Question

I am new to Sharepoint and to Info Path, so I hope can correctly articulate my goal, here. I would like to use Info Path to distribute forms which read,update and delete records in an Access 2010 db which I have uploaded to a Sharepoint library. I have found some online tutorials, which advised me to build a data connection file and upload it to my Sharepoint Library. I have done this. So my Sharepoint site has a library named "lib1" which contains 2 files- "test_db.accdb" and "dataconnectionfile.udcx". I have approved both files as Sharepoint admin. Now, when I try to build an info path form, which I would like to query it's fields from the .accdb file, in my library, I always hit the same dead end.

"This location does not contain any data connection files with the appropriate settings."

If I use the Info Path form template "Data Connection File" and enter my sharepoint address (https://abc123.sharepoint.com) the Data Connection Wizard will find my library. When I expand the library, I find the words

"This location does not contain any data connection files with the appropriate settings."

If I try to connect to the library, by using a blank form and adding a data connection, I reach the same result.

I sure could use some guidance on this issue.

Answer 1

There are myriad ways of screwing things.

Please provide references to your statements:

• "I have found some online tutorials, which advised me to build a data connection file and upload it to my Sharepoint Library"

  All I could ever find is advising to put UDCX files into sharepoint data connection library. But from your question it follows that you put it sharepoint form or document library.

• about storing Microsoft Access database in a Sharepoint (form library)!?

• aout using UDCX connection files for updating accdb?

  While it is generally possible, the UDCX files are mainly and OOTB used for static queries.
  A database connection is always marked as ReadOnly .
  OOTB, the data connection from Infopath template to Microsoft Access database is secondary which permit only quering.
  So, if you had not considered this from the very beginning, OOTB it is impossible to use created UDCX file for updating.

Also note that if you want to submit to a database, it cannot be done directly from web-enabled Infopath form, one should use a (data connection to a ) web service for this .

Before any hacking and inventing, I would advise you follow straight the existing tutorials on how to submit/update from Infopath form to Microsoft Access database:

• Integrate an InfoPath Form with a Microsoft Access Database
• Submit Infopath form data to a Microsoft Access database
• Leveraging Excel and Access Services in SharePoint Online
• Change the main data connection to another Microsoft Access database

Answer 2

If you create your InfoPath form as "Database enabled" you cannot Publish it to SharePoint (it only supports publishing tight to a Content type or in a form-library).

On the other hand if you only interested in keeping data "online" you could simply design other lists as secondary sources of data and use those in your design.