Can an add-in run code automatically when loaded?

[burma]

I have an Access file that does one thing when it opens: it displays the message "hello". I then install the file as an add-in. When I open another Access file, let's call it Add-in Test A.accdb, the add-in is there in the Add-ins menu but the "hello" message doesn't display unless I click it from the Add-ins menu. Is there a way to make it so the Add-in will display the message automatically when I open any Access file, not just Add-in Test A.accdb? Thx

 

[theDBguy]

Can you add an autoexec macro in the new db and call the code in the add in?

 

[burma]

Can you add an autoexec macro in the new db and call the code in the add in?

Tried that but no dice: the msgbox doesn't fire unless I click the add-in from the Add-ins menu.

 

[theDBguy]

Tried that but no dice: the msgbox doesn't fire unless I click the add-in from the Add-ins menu.

Can you post a sample db?

 

[burma]

Can you post a sample db?

Sure, give me a bit.

 

[Josef P.]

the add-in is there in the Add-ins menu but the "hello" message doesn't display unless I click it from the Add-ins menu

If this is an Access add-in, it is only loaded when you start it from the add-in menu or via another call.
Only the presence in the add-in menu cannot start a code.

 

[isladogs]

I may be wrong but I think Access add-ins cannot start automatically. They do have to be loaded each time you need them.
If you only use the add-in to run code, then an alternative is to add the file as a library reference and that will be loaded automatically at startup. However, doing that won't allow you to open forms from the add-in file.

 

[burma]

I may be wrong but I think Access add-ins cannot start automatically. They do have to be loaded each time you need them.
If you only use the add-in to run code, then an alternative is to add the file as a library reference and that will be loaded automatically at startup. However, doing that won't allow you to open forms from the add-in file.

So are you talking about a COM add-in? Perhaps having two add-ins: a COM add-in and an Access add-in. But the goal is to start automatically, and run code. Maybe I would want to open forms in a later version. The other goal is Ribbons that would only show when the add-in is started.

 

[burma]

Can you post a sample db?

 

[isladogs]

I was referring to 'standard' Access add-ins.
COM add-ins are totally different and can start automatically but I have no experience of creating those.

 

[Josef P.]

If you are using a COM add-in, IDTExtensibility2 and IRibbonExtensibility are available as interfaces.

The other goal is Ribbons that would only show when the add-in is started.

This should also be possible with an Access add-in.
You write above that the add-in should be loaded automatically. - This is not possible with an Access add-in.

How should the add-in be started?

• Per user activity (click on button in the application, application ribbon or in the add-in menu, ...)
• When a specific application/database is loaded
• When any database file is loaded
• When Access is started

If I understood #1 correctly, it should be one of the last 2 points. => COM-Add-In

 

[burma]

You write above that the add-in should be loaded automatically. - This is not possible with an Access add-in.

Can an Access add-in be loaded from a COM add-in?

How should the add-in be started?

• Per user activity (click on button in the application, application ribbon or in the add-in menu, ...)
• When a specific application/database is loaded
• When any database file is loaded
• When Access is started

If I understood #1 correctly, it should be one of the last 2 points. => COM-Add-In

Yes, the last two. Or at least: when any database file is loaded. Thx

 

[Josef P.]

Can an Access add-in be loaded from a COM add-in?

Yes, if an Access.Application object is available.
AccessApplicationReference.Run "PathToAddinAccdaWithoutFileExt.AddInFunktion"

 

[burma]

Yes, if an Access.Application object is available.
AccessApplicationReference.Run "PathToAddinAccdaWithoutFileExt.AddInFunktion"

So, assuming the Access.Application object is available, I can kick off the the Access add-in from COM. The only thing I would need the COM add-in for is to load the Access add-in. The rest of the code would run from the Access add-in presumably. Sound doable?

 

[AHeyne]

Just for info: You can create a COM add-in quite easy with twinBASIC (compared to .NET or other solutions):

HOW TO: Creating an Office COM Add-in with twinBASIC

Ever wish you could turn your VBA code into a COM add-in that would run in 32- AND 64-bit Office applications? It's easier than ever with twinBASIC.

nolongerset.com

 

[Josef P.]

A simple example:

GitHub - AccessCodeLib/ACLibAddInStarter: Start your Access add-ins with a ribbon

Start your Access add-ins with a ribbon. Contribute to AccessCodeLib/ACLibAddInStarter development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

This COM add-in does nothing other than provide a ribbon to start various access add-ins from the ribbon.
The add-in was created with twinBasic, but it is not much different with C# either.

 

[burma]

Just for info: You can create a COM add-in quite easy with twinBASIC (compared to .NET or other solutions):

HOW TO: Creating an Office COM Add-in with twinBASIC

Ever wish you could turn your VBA code into a COM add-in that would run in 32- AND 64-bit Office applications? It's easier than ever with twinBASIC.

nolongerset.com

Thanks - I've read about twinBASIC. is there a free version?

 

[AHeyne]

Yes. Both, 32-bit and 64-bit versions are free. But 64-bit shows a 5 second nag screen.

 

[Josef P.]

is there a free version?

Yes, but only for 32 bit.

 

[burma]

A simple example:

GitHub - AccessCodeLib/ACLibAddInStarter: Start your Access add-ins with a ribbon

Start your Access add-ins with a ribbon. Contribute to AccessCodeLib/ACLibAddInStarter development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

This COM add-in does nothing other than provide a ribbon to start various access add-ins from the ribbon.
The add-in was created with twinBasic, but it is not much different with C# either.

Except, I need a COM add-in to actually load the Access add-in, not just provide a ribbon. Thx