Open form with closed application window??

[PHJ]

Hi
I've designed a form which opens when the database opens. It contains 4 buttons linking to other forms, and a shortcut menu offering all the other options necessary. I've also hidden the database window.

My question (and I've looked hard for an answer elsewhere) is whether or not it is also possible to hide (or at least minimize) the application window itself? The goal is that ONLY the form window is visible.

Is there something I could include in an autoexec macro, or will the form always disappear if the application window is hidden?

 

[Mike375]

If you go to Tools>>>StartUp you will see there is an option to hide the data base window, that is, what first appears when you open your DB

 

[boblarson]

You would need to open the form as POPUP and you can use

DoCmd.RunCommand AppMinimize

to minimize the actual Access application window.

 

[PHJ]

Thanks

Thanks for this Bob. I suspect you've nailed it, and so I bow in advance. But I'm not quite sure what I do to implement. Do I include this line of code in a macro called Autoexec? If so, what Action do I give? Or do I have to use VBScript somehow?

You would need to open the form as POPUP and you can use

DoCmd.RunCommand AppMinimize

to minimize the actual Access application window.

 

[boblarson]

You can use an autoexec macro to open the form and minimize the app window. It has been so long since I've done this, but I believe the macro actions would be

1. OpenForm
2. RunCommand AppMinimize

(but the order could be reversed. I just can't remember for sure. Just remember to set the form's POPUP property in the properties window as POPUP.)

 

[PHJ]

Ahhh - worked it out. The only loose end is the shortcut menu, which won't run if the database window is minimised. Any idea what macro script I could add to a button in order to run the shotcutmenubar (ie the equivalent of a left click)?

 

[boblarson]

I don't think you can, but you can try adding your own shortcut menu to the form. See my instructions here:
http://www.btabdevelopment.com/main...rtcutmenuAccess20002003/tabid/62/Default.aspx

 

[PHJ]

Shortcut menus

Thanks. Yes, this is what I'd done. What I need is some way to open this sortcut menu (ie as per your tutorial) when the application window is closed. ie the right click only works if one restores the app windom.

Would there be some way of adding the shortcut window to the form as a permanent feature? Perhaps in a bar down the left hand side?

 

[boblarson]

nope, sorry - Access is funny that way. I guess if you want to have the app window minimized you will have to create a tool bar on your open form to use, or move to VB/VB.NET to create an actual application which doesn't require the application window (although then you lose the benefits of Access forms, reports, etc.).

 

[PHJ]

Thanks Bob. You have saved me and Google many, many hours of grief. Hope I can return the favour one day, even if its just for someone else.

By the way, this is a shareware membership system for (mainly) 3rd world unions that I'm building. Not sure if that matters a fig to you, but I reckon its a good cause. Cheers again.

 

[boblarson]

Good luck in the rest of your project. I hope it goes well.