Question ms access and maybe its VBA

[Joe8915]

Hey all, I need some thoughts here. I pick up a small side job, so I thought. When I first open it was access. When I tried to see all the objects, it just had the queries and tables. So when I install the complete application the forms came into play. So then my next thought the forms are hidden. Bottom line I could not find any forms or macros. When I look a little bit closer I found that the task bar is completely different. So now I am thinking maybe VBA and MS Access combined. Could that be possible? Now this was created in 1999.

Would there be any way I can see how the forms were designed?

As of right now I am just looking at the end result of the form and trying to see how it all came together from the tables and queries.

Any input would be appreciated.


Thanks

 

[HiTechCoach]

Is it possible the database is split into a front end and back end?

 

[Joe8915]

Coach, thanks for the quick reply. But if its split I should at least see a normal Task Bar? This one is completly custom. I show the following: File Edit Players Reports Window Help. In all 6 selections there is various drop downs menu selections?

Coach, you have been around for awhile. I have another quick question. If they have Access on a Server. Do the users have to have Access on their computer?

I was going to start a new thread on this question.

 

[HiTechCoach]

Coach, thanks for the quick reply. But if its split I should at least see a normal Task Bar? This one is completly custom. I show the following: File Edit Players Reports Window Help. In all 6 selections there is various drop downs menu selections?

Task Bar? Access does not have a task bar. In some version there is a Task Pane.

What version of Access are you using?

What you have described sounds more like a custom menu bar in Access 2003 or prior versions.

Coach, you have been around for awhile.

Been around where for a while? If you mean working with Access then yes. I have been a professional Access/VBA developer since 1993.

I have another quick question. If they have Access on a Server. Do the users have to have Access on their computer?

Normally Access is not installed on a server. To open an Access database you must have Access installed locally on the machine.

This sounds like a multi-user set up. Is the database properly set up for multiple users?

I have written this article on the subject: Splitting your Access database into application and data

 

[HiTechCoach]

If it is a custom menu bar then try ctrl-F11 to gt the standard menu bar.

Also, try holding doe the shift key when you open the database to bypass any start up procedures.

Back ups! Backups! Backups!

Working on a database created by someone else is not easy. You have to learn to adapt to their style of coding and design. If you don't you run a huge risk of really messing things up and possible even destroying the data.

I would make sure to make lots of backups. Also uses a copy as you experiment, test, add learn about database.

Before you start making any change you really need to be sure that you really do understand how the current database works.

Back ups! Backups! Backup!


Don't forget to make lots of backups.

 

[Joe8915]

Coach, thanks for all the hot tips. Maybe I should have said Task Pane. Now since you mention Access 2003. I kind of remember that you could custom build Task Pane. Just looking at this dB again. Where it’s says Reports, I have a drop down list of several different types of Reports. You are so right about trying to figure out how some other developer design the dB is very difficult.

I am using 2010 to work on this db. At work my dB is split, and boy do I know about doing backups. I learned the hard way. This is a first for me working on someone else dB, not as easy as I thought.

The only thing I have is the tables and queries, the rest I have to run the entire application to see the forms and that is all I see. I can’t see how they are developed or view the design. So now as you said, it has to be split. As far as I can tell the tables and queries were created in 1997 and 98.

I will keep pushing on. Once again thanks for your input. If you think of anything else please chime in.

 

[HiTechCoach]

If this is a MDB and I would avoid using I am using 2010 to modify it at all unless they are also using Access 2010. I find it best to only use the same version of Access that the client is using. Especially if you do not have a lot of experience using multiple versions of Access for development and deployment. I have seen it cause lots of compatibility and reference issues. You will also have to be careful making an MDE.

 

[Joe8915]

Coach, that will be my first order of business. Get them all on the same page using Access 2010.

 

[DCrake]

Are you sure that the forms and reports etc are not just hidden? Have you looked at the navigation options and set it to show hidden objects.

If you want to send over a copy of the db I will play with it to see what I cn find out for you.

 

[Joe8915]

DCrake, I might try it sending it to you. I will check and see if I can at least send you the shell.

Thanks for the offer