favoritism

G

Guest

why is it that if you want to start Excel, you can type 'Excel' from the
command prompt

and if you want to start outlook, you can type outlook at the command
prompt.

but if you want to launch access, you have to type MSaccess?

it just seems kindof cheesy that it is so inconsistent.

msaccess is 8 characters.. whereas excel is only 6.. i just start access
thru the command prompt about 20 times a day; and i would much rather type
something shorter.

anyone know how i can make a shortcut in the system directory, or something
to get around this?
 
6

'69 Camaro

Hi, Aaron.
but if you want to launch access, you have to type MSaccess?
Click to expand...

If you want to open Microsoft's desktop database application, then you'll
need to refer to its executable's name, which is MSAccess.EXE. The reason
that the executable isn't named Access.EXE is because that name was already
used by a different application. Installing two applications on a computer
that have the same executable name can cause conflicts and unexpected
behaviors, even if these applications are installed in different
directories.

FYI, Microsoft Access was once called "Cirrus" and the first version of
Microsoft's Access For DOS wasn't even a database. It was a business
information/communications application. This might explain why the
Microsoft Access database, as we now know it, doesn't use the simpler
Access.EXE name. I've heard stories about the origins of Microsoft's
version of Access, but since these events happened way before my time, I
can't verify them. However, there are a few references available on the
Internet:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=c...k#[email protected]&rnum=11

http://www.emsps.com/oldtools/msaccv.htm#acc1
msaccess is 8 characters.. whereas excel is only 6.. i just start access
thru the command prompt about 20 times a day; and i would much rather type
something shorter.

anyone know how i can make a shortcut in the system directory, or something
to get around this?
Click to expand...

There are several ways to do this, but I just got an invitation to dinner
and a game of Empire Builder, so I'm turning off my computer and leaving
work right now. I'll let somebody else give you those instructions!

HTH.

Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.

(Please remove ZERO_SPAM from my reply E-mail address, so that a message
will be forwarded to me.)
 
J

John Vinson

why is it that if you want to start Excel, you can type 'Excel' from the
command prompt

and if you want to start outlook, you can type outlook at the command
prompt.

but if you want to launch access, you have to type MSaccess?
Click to expand...

Because the name of the executable file is msaccess.exe.
it just seems kindof cheesy that it is so inconsistent.
Click to expand...

I guess it is, but I essentially never use the command prompt to start
Access. You're using Windows, which has a good GUI; why go back to DOS
6.0 format?
msaccess is 8 characters.. whereas excel is only 6.. i just start access
thru the command prompt about 20 times a day; and i would much rather type
something shorter.

anyone know how i can make a shortcut in the system directory, or something
to get around this?
Click to expand...

Open Windows Explorer. Navigate to Program
Files/Office/Office10/msaccess.exe (or wherever the program is). Right
mouse click it. Select "Send To... Desktop (Create Shortcut)".

Change the label of the short cut to Ms&access.

Type Alt-A to launch Access...

John W. Vinson[MVP]
Join the online Access Chats
Tuesday 11am EDT - Thursday 3:30pm EDT
http://community.compuserve.com/msdevapps
 
J

Jim Carlock

I like that one, but if he wants a way to access it by
typing into a DOS prompt, the old DOS batch file
will do the trick as well.

At the DOS prompt type in the following:
copy con a.bat
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\msaccess.exe"
ctrl+z

and wallah! 1 letter to type and no ALT keys need to be
pressed.

;-)

--
Jim Carlock
Post replies to newsgroup.

why is it that if you want to start Excel, you can type 'Excel' from the
command prompt

and if you want to start outlook, you can type outlook at the command
prompt.

but if you want to launch access, you have to type MSaccess?
Click to expand...

Because the name of the executable file is msaccess.exe.
it just seems kindof cheesy that it is so inconsistent.
Click to expand...

I guess it is, but I essentially never use the command prompt to start
Access. You're using Windows, which has a good GUI; why go back to DOS
6.0 format?
msaccess is 8 characters.. whereas excel is only 6.. i just start access
thru the command prompt about 20 times a day; and i would much rather type
something shorter.

anyone know how i can make a shortcut in the system directory, or something
to get around this?
Click to expand...

Open Windows Explorer. Navigate to Program
Files/Office/Office10/msaccess.exe (or wherever the program is). Right
mouse click it. Select "Send To... Desktop (Create Shortcut)".

Change the label of the short cut to Ms&access.

Type Alt-A to launch Access...

John W. Vinson[MVP]
Join the online Access Chats
Tuesday 11am EDT - Thursday 3:30pm EDT
http://community.compuserve.com/msdevapps
 
N

Nathan Page

Hey Aaron......can I ask a question???? Glass half empty, or half
full???????
 
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