Answer: Catalyst automatically detects broken table links when the database is opened and prompts the user for the new back-end database location and file name. However, the broken table links can also be re-established by using the Linked Table Manager add-in for Microsoft Access®. The Linked Table Manager can be used to either update all linked tables or selectively fix broken links to individual tables. In addition, the Linked Table Manager allows the specification of a Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path instead of a mapped drive path. The UNC path avoids the need to create mapped drives which can be lost unexpectedly and break the database connection. To use a UNC path instead of a drive path, simply specify the following syntax in the File Name field when selecting a new location for your back-end database: \\servername\sharename\path\filename where sharename is the name of the shared folder on the server. The server name and share name can be obtained by viewing the properties of the shared network drive folder.

The Linked Table Manager can be opened by selecting File > Database Management from the Catalyst main menu. The database window must be visible for the Linked Table Manager option to be enabled. The Linked Table Manager must also be installed as an add-in using the Add-In Manager before the utility is available. Refer to Microsoft Access® Help if you need assistance with the Add-In Manager. To relink the front-end database to tables in another database using the Linked Table Manager, perform the following steps:

1. Open the Linked Table Manager by selecting File > Database Management > Linked Table Manager.
    

2. Click the Select All button to select all links or check the box beside the desired linked reference.
    

3. Click the OK button and browse for the location of the external database.
    
4. Open the external database. A progress meter in the status bar lets you know that the linked tables are being refreshed.