How to Use the Visual Data Manager in Visual Basic

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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The Visual Data manager that ships with Visual Basic is a powerful tool for working with several types of databases inside the Visual Basic environment. One can create, edit, compact and repair many types of databases and other types of files. Here's how to use the Visual Data Manager in Visual Basic.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Click on Start in the lower left-hand corner of the desktop screen. Then select All Programs, Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 and Visual Basic 6.0.
Step 2

Select Standard EXE from the list in the New Project dialog box, then click on Open.
Step 3

Tap on Add-Ins on the menu bar and then select Visual Data Manager from the drop-down menu.
Step 4

Pick File on the menu bar when the VisData form opens up to create a new database or to work with an existing database. The Visual Data Manager will work with many types of databases such as Microsoft Access, Dbase, FoxPro, Paradox, Excel, ODBC and text files. Microsoft Access databases also can be compacted and repaired.
Step 5

Choose File, and then Exit when done with the VisData form to return to Visual Basic.

Tips & Warnings

When working directly with the database, it is important to remember that all changes take effect immediately, so caution must be used when manipulating critical data. It is advisable to make a backup copy of the database before performing any changes so that if any errors occur it is easy to restore to the previous status and start again.

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