I have a similar set up, but I only have one record open on the parent form at
any time. The user selects from a combobox (or by a search that presents them
with a limited number of records). I use this information to identify which
main record they want. Then I execute a query that returns JUST that one
record to the main form.

It is very fast and works nicely and almost no conflicts ever occur.

John Spencer
Access MVP 2002-2005, 2007-2010
The Hilltop Institute
University of Maryland Baltimore County

Paul wrote:
I have a multi-user Access 2003 database and lately a number of our users
are running into the Write Conflict message gives them the choice to either
Save Record, Copy to Clipboard or Drop Changes.

The problem occurs in a tabbed form with subforms on the different pages.

I have been told by several developers that one way to minimize the
occurrence of the Write Conflict is to put the main form's controls into a
subform and remove the Record Source from the main form. You then set Child
and Master Field links in the subforms to the value returned by the record
selection combo box on the main form (stored in a text box on the main
form).

In effect, you'd only have one record open at a time from the parent table
instead of loading multiple records into the the main form at once.

Would this in fact help reduce the number of Write Conflicts? I ask because
there are a number of events in the main form the various subforms what
would have to be modified, and I'd like to confirm that it will accomplish
something before I spend the time making those changes.

Thanks in advance,

Paul