Where is my data source?

Years ago I created what I called (no doubt inaccurately) a Database of various items of persional information using LibreBase. It works OK but I have come to realise that it displays data that I would prefer to protect, eg by requiring a password to access. If I understand correctly (a big IF) LibreBase does not help with this, I need to add that protection to the original data source.
My problem is that I no longer recall what that data source is, or where to find it! I am pretty sure that it started out as a spreadsheet but I could easily be wrong. Is there a simple way I can indentify what that data source is so that I can access it and arrange password protection?

  • In Writer or Calc, hit Ctrl+Shift+F4 for the data source window.
  • Right-click>Registered databases … opens the list of registered databases which maps data source names to database documents with file suffix .odb. The same list is also available via Tools>Options…
  • Right-click>Edit database… opens the database document directly.

Open the database document related to your data source name and tell us about the status bar which indicates the type of database used by this database document.
3 types of database documents:

  1. A document may have the actual database embedded. The status bar reads ā€œembedded HSQLā€ or ā€œembedded Firebirdā€
  2. A document may be connected to some database on the local machine or to some database server running on another machine. You can read and edit these databases through the Base document.
  3. Many databases are connected to some kind of tabular file, mostly spreadsheets, sometimes email addressbooks, text files, dBase files. Only dBase files are editable in Base.

Many thanks to Villeroy for such a prompt and comprehensive response. It will take me a little time to follow the advice, but I will report back asap. JJ

If you can implement password protection or not depends entirely on the type of connected database. It is not possible with type 1. An external database should be able to have users and groups with passwords and individual access privileges. A spreadsheet can be password protected.

Thanks, Villeroy. As I have said, I had assumed that I started from a spreadsheet, but the status bar reads ā€˜Embedded Database . . . . HSQLDB Embedded’ so, from what you say, I assume that password protection is not possible.
That is a nuisance. I accept GNK’s point that the file is ā€˜protected’ at the operating system level but I would nevertheless feel much more comfortable with an extra layer. GKN mentions ā€˜setting up LibreBase as front-end for a local password protected external database’ and suggests that may be overkill. But that sounds close to what I have in mind. I’m not sure that there is such a thing as ā€˜overkill’ when it comes to protecting sensitive personal and private data. (I realise that I have not been very specific about my usage, but the database contains an assorted (ill assorted!!!) mixture of personal and financially sensitive details, so I am still interested in finding a solution.
I could easily enough (I believe) export all the data to a (Libre Office spreadsheet), which I could password protect. Could I then use LibreBase as a front end? I assume I would probably have to recreate forms and queries etc but that is the penalty I pay - and would have to accept - for not designing the system with security in mind in the first place.
Before I go to such lengths, a basic question which arises from my inadequate grasp of LibreBase. If my data is in an external file, and I use a LibreBase form that I create to query the data, that’s fine as far as it goes. But can I also use the front end to edit or add to the data in the file, or would I have to call up the file separately to make changes? In that case, the inconvenience would make me think again. From what Villeroy said earlier, this would only work if the data was in a dBase file rather than a spreadsheet. Is it possible to create a dBase file from my existing records?

to make external DB is not so hard - i use Firebird…

quick outline from memory:

get Firebird and set up server (see thier docs)
make sure your Java is upto date
get the Jaybird driver appropriate for your OS and the Firebird version (follow links…)
get FlameRobin as GUI for Firebird
follow set up for Firebird … and test you have it corrctly set (use FlameRobin)
make blank Firebird data base (ADB.fdb) - set password as you want…see docs


in LO main menu > options > advanced > class paths > (paths to Jaybird drivers)
make new Base document
instead of embeded select conect to existing DB
enter path to ADB.fdb
enter password as needed…
open ADB.fdb with Base (currently empty)


now get your old Base doc open …
you cut copy/paste or drag-drop tables, queries, forms and reports from one Base doc to the other !!
Views and GTTs (if you use them) will have to be recreated, so will triggers,functions and procedures.
For macros, create matching modules in new doc, and simply copy/paste from old!

Once set up Firebird (External) works really great for me…so give it a go! :slight_smile:)
Good luck!

Most easy way to convert an embedded HSQLDB into a stand-alone HSQLDB: Apache OpenOffice Community Forum - [Python] Macro to extract and reconnect embedded HSQLDB - (View topic)
You may upgrade to HSQL 2.x or leave the database as is. All your queries forms and reports should remain intact.
Chapter 9. SQL Syntax is the documentation of embedded HSQL 1.8. The documentation for recent versions comes with the downloaded package.
ALTER USER "SA" SET PASSWORD "top secret" should add ā€œtop secretā€ as password to the one and only user ā€œSAā€ (sys admin) of a formerly embedded HSQLDB.
On the Base side, call Edit>Database>Properties… and check the password option, so Base knows that it needs to prompt for a password before connecting to the external database.

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As Villeroy says, an out-the-box standard LibreBase .odb document will be using the HSQL(or Firebird) database embeded within it - they do not have password protection per document (but LibreCalc /.ods does).

I assume you have out-the-box LibreBase … and that setting up LibreBase as front-end for a local password protected external database may be overkill for you usage (?)…
a)would you transfer to spread-sheet what you need instead, or do you need the Forms in Base?
b)Consider that the Base/.odb file is ā€˜protected’ at the operating system level: user accounts etc, then whatever disk/file encryption-locks, then firewalls and VPNs (and so on) into a network. >>> is document level password what you really need for additional security?