Question How to prevent a user from editing tables/design mode?

[UnrealEnvy]

Hello everyone.
I'd like to know how can I do the following:

When a user opens the DB, There's the autoexec macro that opens the form on which he's supposed to be working on. (by his demand).
Problem is, that on the left side of the screen, there's the "tables, forms, macros, queries" etc. list that I'd like him NOT to be able to see at all, nor touch.
I'd also like to prevent him from going into design mode without a password or so.
Much like a stand alone app, without being able to change things that he shouldn't be changing.

How can I do that?
Thanks in advance,
Tal.

 

[Kryst51]

In your start up screen, where you selected the form to open at the start, there is a checkbox that if checked displays the database window, and if unchecked will not.

 

[Kryst51]

Oh, I just reread your post. If you go to Tools/Startup on your menu you can select a form to open and deselect the checkbox so that the window won't display. Then there isn't need for a macro. And you can make changes to the startup a little easier, at least basic changes.

 

[SOS]

Oh, I just reread your post. If you go to Tools/Startup on your menu you can select a form to open and deselect the checkbox so that the window won't display. Then there isn't need for a macro. And you can make changes to the startup a little easier, at least basic changes.

However, unless you find the DisableBypassKey code and use it, they can still hold the shift key down to access the database window.

Also, you should uncheck the USE ACCESS SPECIAL KEYS checkbox in the Startup options so that they can't use the F11 key to display the database window.

 

[UnrealEnvy]

Thank you for your reply.
The macro isn't just opening the form, it's also executing 2 queries that are required on start up.

Is there a way to cancel the navigation pane, and prevent the user from getting into "design" mode on the forms?

Or better yet, is there somehow to make the DB look as if it's stand alone, like seeing just the forms without all the Access editing buttons all around it?

 

[statsman]

In Access 07 you can turn the Navigation Pane off. I would suggest you try that.

You can also initiate User Level Security. This would require your user to login each time the database is opened. You can then restrict them to just using the forms without being able to see the background code or play with anything.

Note: User Level Security is very tricky. I strongly advise you to get a good guide to assist you before you start. Always use security on a copy of the database. When you mess it up (which you will) you can just delete it and start again on another copy.

 

[UnrealEnvy]

I just read about user level security, and it seems that..
It's not available in Access 2007?

How am I supposed to keep my DB safe from the user's evil hands?

No way to cancel the Design view button?

 

[SOS]

I just read about user level security, and it seems that..
It's not available in Access 2007?

How am I supposed to keep my DB safe from the user's evil hands?

No way to cancel the Design view button?

Okay, I hate having to repeat myself but here we go again.

1. First use the DisableBypassKey to disable the Shift when opening the database.

2. Go to Round Office Button > Access Options > Current Database and find the USE ACCESS SPECIAL KEYS checkbox and UNCHECK it.

In addition, you can uncheck the Allow Full Menus and Allow Default Shortcut Menus checkboxes so they will not get the design view buttons.

User level security is only available in 2007 if you use an MDB file and not an ACCDB file. I would just start with these options and see how it goes for you. You can also create an ACCDE file for your users to use and if you rename the extension to ACCDR it will run as if using the Access Runtime. If you do this, you will need to provide your user with your own Ribbons and bullet-proof error handling.

 

[SOS]

Oh, and as far as not showing the Access window? Personally, I wouldn't go there. It is not a simple process and it is a pain in the @$$.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

supply an mde - then there is no code
even so, the users can see tables, and modify /add queries.

you can prevent users getting at the dbwindow with a bit of code.

The underlying problem though, is that MS designed Access as a user tool, in the same way as Excel

so denying a user the ability to interact with a database is similar to the trouble you have to take to do the same thing with a spreadsheet.

and a lot of the programming we do in access is specifically designed to limit the interaction the user has.

 

[boblarson]

SOS in post 8 has the idea.

 

[UnrealEnvy]

Thanks everyone for the help, I'm all good with it now.
SOS, sorry you've had to repeat yourself a second time, I'm pretty new to access programming, and some of the things are still a mystery to me.
Thank you for explaining that.

 

[SOS]

Glad we could help.

 

[AnnPhil]

I did the same thing that SOS suggested but someone could still go to the "Customize Quick Access Toolbar" down arrow and select customized then undo all your changes. Is there a way to hide this as well?

 

[boblarson]

There is a way to disable the QAT but I have to go find it.

 

[primaveranz]

1. First use the DisableBypassKey to disable the Shift when opening the database.

Also note that code has an error in the last MsgBox function. It should read
'ap_EnableShift' not 'ap_DisableShift' .

 

[AtLarge]

That's pretty cool. I don't understand the purpose of the second function though. Why add it if you can't call it