How To Create A New Database

You can create additional databases for your own particular needs. For instance, you may have different types of accounts that you work as separate business departments, you may need to split a large database, or you may want a test environment for import routines.

This option is only available with a Corporate license.

There are two ways to create a new database:

• Copy Database
• Create Empty Database

Copy Database

This procedure creates a fully functional database that may be used immediately. However, you should use only the exact same version of Collect! to ensure proper results. If the version or build is different, the "Create Empty Database" method is recommended.

This procedure requires the use of the MS SQL Management Studio. If you do not have experience with this tool, do not proceed. Consult our support department or a certified Microsoft technician for assistance.

1. Sign into Collect! and stop at the Welcome To Collect! screen.
2. Select the SELECT DATABASE button to display the list of available registered databases that you can open.
3. Select the NEW button at the bottom of the device list to create a new empty database. Collect! will create the new device and display the name you chose in the Database To Open field. For the remainder of this example, let's say the new database you created was called "testdb"

This is a completely empty database! The following steps will copy the data from the masterdb.

4. Sign out of Collect! and sign into the MS SQL Management Studio.
5. Detach all of the databases related to the masterdb and testdb.
6. Open the masterdb folder and select all the files and sub-folders. Then paste them into the newly created database folder.
7. Rename the following files in the database folder to reflect the new database name.
   • cv_masterdb.mdf to cv_testdb.mdf
   • cv_masterdb_log.ldf to cv_testdb_log.ldf
   • cvr_masterdb.mdf to cvr_testdb.mdf
   • cvr_masterdb_log.ldf to cvr_testdb_log.ldf
   • cvx_masterdb.mdf to cvx_testdb.mdf
   • cvx_masterdb_log.ldf to cvx_testdb_log.ldf
   • html\db\cvr_masterdb_w.mdf to cvr_testdb_w.mdf
   • html\db\cvr_masterdb_w_log.ldf to cvr_testdb_w_log.ldf
   • html\db\cvx_masterdb_w.mdf to cvx_testdb_w.mdf
   • html\db\cvx_masterdb_w_log.ldf to cvx_testdb_w_log.ldf
8. Attach the masterdb files (remember to include the web host database located in the html\db folder).
9. Attach the testdb files, BUT pay close attention to the "attach as" field in MS Management Studio. Even though you renamed the files, they will still try to attach as masterdb. You need to change the names to testdb during the attach process.
10. You can now sign back into Collect! and open the newly created database. At this point it is an exact copy of your Masterdb database.

Create Empty Database

This procedure creates a fully functional EMPTY database. A default set of user levels and operators is provided, as well as a complete list of printable fields and import field definitions. However, there are no clients, debtors, transaction types, import maps, reports, contact plans or status codes.

1. Sign into Collect! as an operator with User Level 99 and stop at the Welcome To Collect! screen.
2. Select the SELECT DATABASE button to display the list of available registered databases that you can open.
3. Select the NEW button at the bottom of the device list to create a new empty database. Collect! will create the new device and display the name you chose in the Database To Open field.
4. Select the START button and Collect! will rebuild your access rights, printable field and import field definition lists.

This is a completely empty database! There are several ways that you may choose to populate it, including copying records from another database. Please refer to the Help topic How to Copy Records for more information.