User Front End

[Smee]

Front End Screen

My first post, and its a general "Can Access do this" question.

My boss, for the benefit of less computer literate employees, wants the Access system I'm working on to display a front end screen that is outside of the main Access window.

That is, when opening the database, the only window to pop up is that of the switchboard main screen - straight onto the desktop, without anything else around it, or containing it.

I think this is going to require a VB front end that then links to an Access database. However, if it can be done from within Access that would be great.

Any help would be greatly apprieciated.

Thanks.

P.S

I have already spent the last few weeks using this forum, and I have found a lot of answers to problems I've had from other people having the same problems without me even needing to post.

Now I've registered I look forward to maybe even helping someone myself. A wonderful site, with a lot of great information to be found.

 

[Kevin_S]

This is possible and fairly easy to set up. See my posts in this thread for info on how to set up and the actual code to be used:

http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57846

Note* MAKE SURE we have all your forms set to popup and modal = yes and also make sure your code is error free as you can lock up Access if you dont... For do's and don'ts on setting up this type of app check the thread and you can also search for "Hide Access Window"

HTH,
Kev

 

[jeremie_ingram]

Bravo, I tip my hat to you sir.

This is something that I have wanted to do for quite some time, but was told from day one (by teachers) that it could not be done. Rest assured that those who have told me this in the past are about to be enlightened.
I guess that will teach me to believe everyhting I am told.

 

[Smee]

Thanks very much, great advice, and quick too.

I'm also glad that someone else was told by teachers that it was impossible, not just my teachers.

 

[Smee]

Getting back again

I've got that working, and its looking good.

However, part of the database is updated from an ODBC data source (fox pro) and when it has finished updating it doubles in size.

I found out to sort this out I just need to use "repair and compact", but I can't use this if the access window is hidden.

I tried adding SW_SHOWMAXIMIZED to the onload condition on the form I use for the update (that way I can just stick a password on that form, and general users can't get to it) but when it bought the window back, there were no toolbars.

How do I bring the toolbars back as well.

I'm sure it will be irritatingly simple, but it alludes me.

Thanks for any help

 

[Kevin_S]

You can compact on close in the db by selecting Tools -- Options -- Then on the general tab tick the box for "Compact on Close". You can also do this programmically though code in VBA...

HTH,
Kev

 

[Smee]

Thanks for that, solves the problem nicely.

Just in case someone else was hoping for a solution to bringing the toolbars back, or incase I need to do further admin things to the database, is it possible?

No hurry on this one, just for general info if anyone knows.

Cheers

 

[Kevin_S]

Smee -

You should be able to right click on the toolbar to bring back the toolbars you had originally - even if you have disabled all of the toolbars you should be able to right click on the grey bar and then turn them back on manually...

HTH,
Kev

 

[Smee]

No that doesn't work as the focus is on the form that is open.

One of the side effects to the getting rid of the access window seems to be that once focus is on one of these forms, you can't move from it.

I presuming that is something to do with either the popup or modal properties I turned on.

Hopefully I will only need to compact the database anyway, so therefore I won't need to bring the access window back as your earlier solution solved that problem.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Kevin_S]

No that doesn't work as the focus is on the form that is open.

I wasn't sure about the tool bars as I hadn't tried it so I thought Id take a shot at a solution...

I presuming that is something to do with either the popup or modal properties I turned on.

Your absolutely correct that popup and modal make the opened form the one that retains focus until it is closed. As for a solution the compact on close should takes care of your size problem but if you still feel that repairing is necessary to do from time to time you could code this out in the close event of the db or schedule this to run at predetermined intervals... OR - you could just periodically go into the db by bypassing the startup and then manually repairing... To do this you would first have to make sure that all the users were out of the FE but kicking out users is fairly simple to code and there are numerous posts on this in the forum...

Also - there are other limitations to using this setup as well like not being able to preview reports since this requires the Access window - the workaround is to export to word and view there... (just another tip! )

HTH,
Kev

 

[Smee]

Thanks, can't get enough tips.

I'm sure I'll need many more before my task is complete. But they will be for other threads, unless I can find them answered already (very likely, as most problems seems to have been discussed at some point, its just finding them.)

I've already passed on the knowledge that the Access window can be hidden completely. It seems that a lot of peoples teachers told them they can't do it.

Is this ability something that Microsoft should be considering pushing in the next release, or is it already better documented in A2003?

Thanks again

 

[Kevin_S]

I am running A 2000/20002(XP)/2003 at work and I have never seen any documentation that illustrates how to do this nor have I seen anything from the MS knowledge base on how to do this either. The only real obvious change to be seen through these last few releases is that MS is starting to transition Access to become a more robust FE for larger RDBMS like SQL Server and the like....

Good luck with the rest of your project and post back if you need more help/ have more questions...

HTH,
Kev