User manual

Table Of Contents
Chapter 2 Using Libraries 33
Sharing Your Bento Database
You can share your Bento database with up to five other Bento users at the same time
over a local network (in the same subnet). Sharing requires the current version of
Bento on each computer that is either sharing a database or looking for shared
databases.
You can export data or a template from a shared library. For more information, see
”Exporting Information from Bento” on page 112.
When you first start Bento, your libraries are set up ready to be shared. You then
decide whether to share your entire database or only selected libraries.
To share your database with other Bento users:
1 Choose Bento > Preferences.
2 Click Sharing at the top of the window.
3 Select “Share my Bento database.
4 Select “Share entire database” or “Share selected libraries,” then select the
libraries you want to share.
5 (Optional) Enter a different name for your shared database.
This is the name that is displayed on other users’ computers (if they are set up to
look for shared databases on your network).
6 If you want other users to be able to make changes to the shared database,
select “Allow others to make changes to your data.
If a shared database is not allowed to be changed, users see italicized field labels
and when they move the cursor over the fields.
Users viewing your shared database can’t create or delete fields or make changes
to form layouts.
If you make certain types of changes to the database while it is being shared
(create fields, collections, or folders; delete folders; change field options or the
database name), users are prompted to disconnect from the database and then
reconnect to ensure they have the latest version.
7 Leave Bento open on your computer for users to see your shared database on
other computers. If you quit Bento, your database will no longer be shared.
Important Users editing a shared database can’t undo their changes once they have
tabbed or clicked outside the field currently being edited.
To disconnect a shared database, click next to the shared database.