How to delete data in all ms-access tables at once? - sql

Question

Is there a way in MS-Access to delete the data in all the tables at once. We run a database in access, save the data every month and then delete all the data in access. But it requires deleting data from a lot of tables. Isn't there a simpler/easier way to do so?

Answer 1

Why don't you keep an empty copy of the database on hand. At the end of the month, save the existing database, then copy the empty database in its place.

Answer 2

Craig's answer is simple and sensible. If you really want a programmatic solution, the following VBA script will clear all the data from every table excluding the hidden tables. It requires DAO to be enabled - in Visual Basic Editor, go to Tools -> References, and tick Microsoft DAO 3.6 Object Library, then OK:
Public Sub TruncateTables()
'Majority of code taken from a data dictionary script I can no longer source nor find the author
On Error GoTo Error_TruncateTables
Dim DB As DAO.Database
Dim TDF As DAO.TableDef
Dim strSQL_DELETE As String
Set DB = CurrentDb()
For Each TDF In DB.TableDefs
If Left(TDF.Name, 4) <> "MSys" Then
strSQL_DELETE = "DELETE FROM " & TDF.Name & ";"
DB.Execute strSQL_DELETE
End If
Next
MsgBox "Tables have been truncated", vbInformation, "TABLES TRUNCATED"
DB.Close
Exit_Error_TruncateTables:
Set TDF = Nothing
Set DB = Nothing
Exit Sub
Error_TruncateTables:
Select Case Err.Number
Case 3376
Resume Next 'Ignore error if table not found
Case 3270 'Property Not Found
Resume Next
Case Else
MsgBox Err.Number & ": " & Err.Description
Resume Exit_Error_TruncateTables
End Select
End Sub

Answer 3

Great answer from Alistair, although it needs to be updated. The old if statement would cause errors, and the old dynamic string wouldn't work on tables with names that have a space. It would treat a name like "person information" as "person". I've updated the code, as well as made it a little easier to add exceptions to the if statement, if you want some tables to retain their data.
Public Sub TruncateTables()
'Majority of code taken from a data dictionary script I can no longer source nor find the author
On Error GoTo Error_TruncateTables
Dim DB As DAO.Database
Dim TDF As DAO.TableDef
Dim strSQL_DELETE As String
Set DB = CurrentDb()
For Each TDF In DB.TableDefs
If Not (TDF.Name Like "MSys*" Or TDF.Name Like "~*" Or Len(TDF.Connect) > 0) Then
'This will prevent system, temporary and linked tables from being cleared
strSQL_DELETE = "DELETE FROM " & "[" & TDF.Name & "]"
DB.Execute strSQL_DELETE
End If
Next
MsgBox "Tables have been truncated", vbInformation, "TABLES TRUNCATED"
DB.Close
Exit_Error_TruncateTables:
Set TDF = Nothing
Set DB = Nothing
Exit Sub
Error_TruncateTables:
Select Case Err.Number
Case 3376
Resume Next 'Ignore error if table not found
Case 3270 'Property Not Found
Resume Next
Case Else
MsgBox Err.Number & ": " & Err.Description
Resume Exit_Error_TruncateTables
End Select
End Sub

Answer 4

Since this is a repetitive action, it would be better if you made a simple SQL script to do this.
DELETE FROM <table1>;
DELETE FROM <table2>;
...
DELETE FROM <tablen>;

Answer 5

Highlight all of the ROWS and then press the Delete key on your keyboard. If access is doing that thing were it doesn't let you go to the bottom,then go into a cell and click ctrl+down arrow. To highlight all rows, highlight the top row and then scroll to the bottom row and hold down shift while you select the bottom row. All rows should be highlighted.

Answer 6

This will delete all the data from all tables except from System Tables
Dim T As TableDef
DoCmd.SetWarnings False
For Each T In CurrentDb.TableDefs
If T.Name Like "d2s_*" Then
DoCmd.RunSQL "DELETE * FROM " & T.Name
End If
Next T
DoCmd.SetWarnings True
Another approach: (Based on Suggestion of Christopher Duke)
Dim T As TableDef
DoCmd.SetWarnings False
For Each T In CurrentDb.TableDefs
If Not Left(T.Name, 4) = "MSys" Then
DoCmd.RunSQL "DELETE * FROM [" & T.Name & "]"
End If
Next T
DoCmd.SetWarnings True