Database Functionality Without Vba

[Steepleboy04]

Is it possible to create a Database to record, search, edit, and print records without relying on the codebuilder and VBA to make these Forms functional?

I ask this quesiton mainly because I do not know any VBA, but I am trying to create a database to create and manage Material Safety Data Sheets for my company.

Thanks.

 

[Simon_MT]

Yes it is, but you're in for a long haul. I have tried both methids and VB is the Rolls Royce when you're attempt something that can be complex.

Simon

 

[boblarson]

You can do a lot with just using Macros. I started out that way 10 years ago and I did that for 3 years when I finally took the plunge into VBA. So, if you want a way to do a fair amount, you can always work at first with Macros.

I will say, to echo Simon's comment that, while you can do a lot with Macros, there is very little you can't do with VBA, so your ultimate goal should be to move that direction. There are some good tutorials on the web (including free ones) that will help you get started.

 

[stopher]

You should be able to put together a very nice database to record, edit and print records without any need for vba whatsover. Also you can use the button wizard to navigate to forms and reports without the knowledge of what vba is being created. That's the big plus of Access imo. I would go so far as to say don't worry about vba for now. Get yourself acquainted with database structure (normalisation), queries, forms and reports.

When you come to the search function you can do basic searches with the find tool or the filter tool. But to get a nice search form,that's when you need to venture into vba. And it's no bad place to start vba. There are many examples of how to implement search forms in these forums.

You may find the occasional gap where vba will the best solution but in my experience, vba really just gives you the whistles and bells.

Chris

 

[boblarson]

You may find the occasional gap where vba will the best solution but in my experience, vba really just gives you the whistles and bells.

Well, I don't know if I would go THAT far because there is one thing that can be very important that Macros don't give you - Error Handling.

 

[tehNellie]

Well, I don't know if I would go THAT far because there is one thing that can be very important that Macros don't give you - Error Handling.

And readable code. Maybe I'm missing the obvious, but I cannot find a simple way to find out what macros are attached to what part of what form on a database I've recently inherited.

Every open form, action and whathave you is triggered by a button on a form calling a macro, I feel like Champollion at times going through that DB.

 

[stopher]

Well, I don't know if I would go THAT far because there is one thing that can be very important that Macros don't give you - Error Handling.

Hi Bob
What I meant was a novice designer can put together a respectable and working d/b without using code or macros. I think SteepleBoy's question was about whether it was feasible to build a d/b without engaging in vba. I say absolutely. I think it was a couple of years of designing successful databases before I ventured into coding vba.

So often we see people delving into the possibilities that vba brings in order to have that spectacular front end that will presumably impress the boss and users. But we find they have flaws in their table design or haven't understood the mechanics of form/subform or are getting bogged down with why their query is producing too many records or have record locks.

Taking both your previous points about macros, I would recommend that once a novice designer has become competent in normalisation, queries, reports, forms etc, then progress directly to vba. Don't bother learning about macros. I know you and I did but was it really worth it?

Macros will take you a step further as we've all undoubtedly found during our learning. But to me it just muddies the waters and slows progress to using vba.

Chris

 

[boblarson]

Hi Bob
What I meant was a novice designer can put together a respectable and working d/b without using code or macros. I think SteepleBoy's question was about whether it was feasible to build a d/b without engaging in vba. I say absolutely. I think it was a couple of years of designing successful databases before I ventured into coding vba.

So often we see people delving into the possibilities that vba brings in order to have that spectacular front end that will presumably impress the boss and users. But we find they have flaws in their table design or haven't understood the mechanics of form/subform or are getting bogged down with why their query is producing too many records or have record locks.

Taking both your previous points about macros, I would recommend that once a novice designer has become competent in normalisation, queries, reports, forms etc, then progress directly to vba. Don't bother learning about macros. I know you and I did but was it really worth it?

Macros will take you a step further as we've all undoubtedly found during our learning. But to me it just muddies the waters and slows progress to using vba.

Chris

Just as I had said before - I worked exclusively with Macros for 3 years before delving into VBA. I was just making the point that there is a very important missing element missing when using macros and it would be good to get using VBA as soon as they felt comfortable doing so. But you are correct, you can do a lot for a long time without using VBA.

 

[Simon_MT]

One trick is to get you to VB is is create a Macro and Convert it to VB. Whereas a Macro you say Value=1 / Value=2 / Value=3

Value = 1 do this
Value = 2 do this
Value = 3 do this

in VB you say

If Value = 1 then
do this
elseif Value = 2 then
do this
elseif Value = 3 then
do this
End if

Simon

 

[AccessJunkie]

Well, I don't know if I would go THAT far because there is one thing that can be very important that Macros don't give you - Error Handling.

Bob, in Access 2007 you can add error handling to macros as well as create and use temporary variables.

--------------------
Jeff Conrad - Access Junkie - MVP Alumni
SDET - XAS Services - Microsoft Corporation

Co-author - Microsoft Office Access 2007 Inside Out
Presenter - Microsoft Access 2007 Essentials
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie.html
Access 2007 Info: http://www.AccessJunkie.com

----------
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.mspx
----------

 

[boblarson]

Bob, in Access 2007 you can add error handling to macros as well as create and use temporary variables.

I need to carve out more time and delve deeper into A2K7 as I have it at home (got free copy of Office 2007 Pro when I went to the Kickoff event) but my current work location is using 2003 so I haven't gotten real deep in there. I've tried to look as much as possible but until you really work with it, some of these things escape notice, eh?

So, thanks Jeff - that is good to know.

 

[AccessJunkie]

I need to carve out more time and delve deeper into A2K7 as I have it at home (got free copy of Office 2007 Pro when I went to the Kickoff event) but my current work location is using 2003 so I haven't gotten real deep in there. I've tried to look as much as possible but until you really work with it, some of these things escape notice, eh?

So, thanks Jeff - that is good to know.

May I suggest a good book on the subject?
<cough>



Just kidding.

--------------------
Jeff Conrad - Access Junkie - MVP Alumni
SDET - XAS Services - Microsoft Corporation

Co-author - Microsoft Office Access 2007 Inside Out
Presenter - Microsoft Access 2007 Essentials
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie.html
Access 2007 Info: http://www.AccessJunkie.com

----------
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.mspx
----------

 

[boblarson]

May I suggest a good book on the subject?

Actually, I might just do that. Know of any good ones? <snicker>

But seriously it does sound like you and John have a good book there and I am thinking of ordering it.

 

[boblarson]

Actually, I might just do that. Know of any good ones? <snicker>

But seriously it does sound like you and John have a good book there and I am thinking of ordering it.

Jeff -

I just ordered the book and am looking forward to checking it all out. I'll let you know what I think.

 

[neileg]

Just my two penn'orth.

I find macros much harder to understand than VBA. I gave up on macros very quickly. I think it is a hard row to plough doing without VBA altogther, but you can make life much easier with a few snippets. The odd 'Me.requery' or 'MyControl1=MyControl2' is hardly a stretch, is it?

 

[nodenet]

A good way to get into VBA is to create some function buttons and then edit the code created by the button wizard.

For example you could create 4 buttons, 1 to open a form, 2 to run a query, 3 to close the form, 4 to refresh the data.

Then copy all the code from the 2,3,and 4 buttons and add it to the code in button 1 and this will give you lot of functionality in one button.