MOD2000: "Cannot Add Columns" Error Adding Workflow to Table Already in Publication (244053)

SYMPTOMS

If an Access Workflow Designer solution already includes a publication and you attempt to add workflow upon a table that is already part of the publication, the following error message appears:

This process cannot continue because of the following error:

Error: (0x80040E14) Cannot add columns to table 'table' because it is being published for merge replication.

CAUSE

The expected behavior of the Access Workflow Designer is not automatically adding new main tables to existing publications. However, new detail and lookup tables are automatically added to publications, including the parent main table.

RESOLUTION

If you need to make schema changes to your solution (including adding a new main table to your solution), first turn off replication (Application Properties, Offline tab, clear the Enable offline replication check box), which drops any existing publications. Then you can recreate the publication.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

Upsize a copy of the sample database Northwind.mdb.
After upsizing, start the Access Workflow Designer to register the copy of the Northwind database.
Right-click the tables folder, and click Add Main Table.
Add Orders as a main table.
Select the Orders table and click the Add Workflow Process button (button showing the two arrows).
Add workflow to the Orders table. Select Create a new column. You can make up a couple of states to satisfy the wizard.
When you have finished creating the new workflow for Orders, create a publication, selecting Orders as the main table.
Add Suppliers as a main table.
Attempt to create workflow upon the Suppliers main table. Select Create a new column. Once again, enter whatever workflow states you want.
After you click Finish in the Workflow Process Wizard, you receive the error message shown in the "Symptoms" section of this article.