switchboard in Access 2007 beta

[jasonshohet]

Basically - I just want this, in Access beta 2 (2007):
Users (except me - developer) should see only Forms & Reports. NO
tables / queries. If anyone is familiar with how to do this, can you
clue me in. I recall using the switchboard way back when, but I'm
unfamiliar with it exactly how to do it. Thanks

 

[Larry Daugherty]

There are many ways to get it done. I'll describe one.

First, you have split your application into a BackEnd, with just the
tables, and a FrontEnd with everything else, haven't you? If you
haven't yet, do it.

In the BackEnd create an Autoexec macro that does an Application.Quit.
In the BackEnd's startup options, disable the shift key bypass. Be
aware that you'll be locked out, too! To change the table design you
can open a new, empty application and copy the tables into it. When
your design changes are complete re-do the lock-down.

As to the visibility of the queries, don't make them visible in the
first place. Instead, embed the SQL with the Form or Report or
combobox that uses it. Create your query as the recordsource and do
save changes. Don't save as a named query.

On further step is to hide the database window. This is the easiest
part of the whole thing for the malicious user to crack.

One other, common sense, step is to protect your design by converting
the FrontEnd to an MDE just before you deploy it.

HTH

 

[Jeff Conrad]

Define Switchboard for us in *your* context.

A Switchboard means different things to different people.
- A form created by the built-in Switchboard Manager to open forms and reports. This form uses a
table to show sub menus of information to the user. Clicking these options on the form open forms
and reports.
- A unbound form created by the developer to show the various database elements to the users. It
serves as the main launch pad.
- In Access 2007 a Switchboard can refer to using the new Navigation Pane to open and view database
objects.

So which one are you talking about?

In Access 2007 you can customize the Navigation Pane to only show specific database objects to your
users. So when your database opens, the left side of the screen (Nav Pane) will list the various
forms and reports you wish them to view under custom Categories and Groups you create.

Are you wanting to do the latter or something else?

 

[Albert D.Kallal]

You been able to hide all of the interface for years in ms-access. All you
need is
to set the startup options.

You most certainly can, and should hide all of the ms-access interface. The
options to complete hide and keep people out of the ms-access interface can
easily be done using the tools->start-up options. Using those options allows
you to complete hide the ms-access interface (tool bars, database window
etc). Also, using these options means you
do not have to bother setting up security.

Try downloading and running the 3rd example at my following web site that
shows a hidden ms-access interface, and NO CODE is required to do
this....but just some settings in the start-up.

Check out:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/msaccess/DownLoad.htm

After you try the application, you can exit, and then re-load the
application, but hold down the shift key to by-pass the start-up options. If
want, you can even disable the shift key by pass. I have a sample mdb file
that will let you "set" the shift key bypass on any application you want.
You can get this at:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/msaccess/msaccess.html

 

[Jeff Conrad]

Albert,

Quite a bit of what you mentioned simply won't work with Access 2007.

The Ribbon UI has completely changed things.
--
Jeff Conrad
Access Junkie - MVP
http://home.bendbroadband.com/conradsystems/accessjunkie.html
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/articles.html

in message:

 

[Albert D.Kallal]

Albert,

Quite a bit of what you mentioned simply won't work with Access 2007.

The Ribbon UI has completely changed things.

Yes, quite correct!!!

However, if you have an existing application, then those custom menus will
work fine in a2007. And, if you hidden the interface, then when you run the
application in a2007, then all of the ribbons etc will thus be hidden as
before.

So, existing applications that have custom menu bars, and hide all of the
ms-access interface *should* work fine in a2007. (we are talking legacy
support here -- assuming you do NOT convert to a2007).

I just tried my a2000 menu sample in a2007. It works fine. The only reason
why one menu bar don't work is due to some bug/problem in a2007 beta. The
default menu bar for the main application form does not show for some
reason. However, if I close the main form..and re-open it, then it does
function as it should (eg: you only see custom menus, and none of the a2007
interface).

However, it is important (of you) to point out that you will not take this
approach if you are in fact creating a a2007 application (so, yes...lets not
try and confuse the issue!!). You don't build custom menus in a2007, you
*can* however build custom ribbons!!

I can't wait to start building custom ribbons!! I will likely even write a
converter to take my menus and build ribbons out of them!!!....It should
look just amazing.

 

[Jeff Conrad]

Hi Albert,

So, existing applications that have custom menu bars, and hide all of the ms-access interface
*should* work fine in a2007. (we are talking legacy support here -- assuming you do NOT convert to
a2007).

Correct. If you leave the file format in either 2000 or 2002-2003 then
the custom menu bars and toolbars will appear, but if you convert the
file to 2007 then all of those elements simply disappear.

However, it is important (of you) to point out that you will not take this approach if you are in
fact creating a a2007 application (so, yes...lets not try and confuse the issue!!). You don't
build custom menus in a2007, you *can* however build custom ribbons!!

Yep. I didn't want the OP to get confused right from the start.

I can't wait to start building custom ribbons!! I will likely even write a converter to take my
menus and build ribbons out of them!!!....It should look just amazing.

Well let me know when the converter is complete!