A handy solution to the problem of disappearing form view headers and footers. Q: Bob writes that in Access 2003, when he is working on a form in design view, and turns on form headers/footers (using the View Form Header/Footer menu command), often the header and/or footer section doesn’t show
How to change back end database structure. Q: Peter Matthews writes: “If you have split a data base, and then decide to change the data structure – say to add some extra information to a table – is this a problem? There does not seem to be any way of
How to merge data from a recordset based on a query to Word documents. Access Archon #168 Introduction An AW reader wrote to me asking if the document properties merge code in my Code Sample #24could be modified to merge data to Word from a query, instead of selections
How to update Word fields in documents created from Access Mergee. Q: Richard Lally writes: I am very interested in trying the Mail Merge method you suggest but I am anxious about one thing. The templates include a number of fields that need updating when a document is created from
How to use Rich Text in memo fields in Access 2007. Access Archon #157 Introduction Over the years, the functionality of Access forms and reports has been significantly upgraded. In Access 2007, one long-requested feature has finally arrived in a workable form (I recall an early and unreliable implementation that
How to ensure leading zeroes are not discarded. Q: Albin Moroz wrote me to say that he is having problems keeping the leading zeroes in U.S. Social Security Numbers (SSNs). He was using the expression Format(Nz(patientRS(patient.SSN), “”), “###-##-####”) which discards leading zeroes. A: Instead of the # placeholder, which discards
How to export data that’s to be archived to an Excel worksheet, and then remove the exported records from the Access tables. Access Archon #143 The procedure that exports the data to be archived to an Excel worksheet, and then removes the exported records from the Access tables, is listed
A reader offers another method for automatically backing up databases, one which runs every time the database starts. In response to my update on backing up Access databases in AW 7.14, Wim Vermeer contributed his routine, which runs every time the database starts. It will make a backup folder (if
A reader’s method for calculating total hours. Bill Patterson responded to my request in Access Archon #129for alternate (possibly simpler) methods of calculating total hours. I used a series of calculated fields in a query to do the calculations; by contrast, the Nearest_Time function listed below does all the calculations
Here’s a way around an error that can sometimes occur with the IsLoaded property. Q: Chuck Tucker writes that he is getting an error on the IsLoaded function reference in a code sample from my book, Access 2002 Inside-Out. A: IsLoaded is a function that comes with the Access sample
Using the Office Envelope Object in Office 2000 – what works and what doesn’t. Some readers have asked whether the Office Envelope Object (featured in Access Archon #122) can be used in Office 2000. Well, sort of. While writing the article, I tested the two procedures in Office 2000 and
This is the book you need for all those situations when Access security is required. access archon #120 Introduction I have always hated Access security. It is a pain to secure a database, and a nightmare to modify a secured database – and, after all that trouble, the database
A reader suggests using Acrobat Distiller to print forms as they look on screen, and more. Gabriel Linart wrote to suggest using the Acrobat Distiller to print forms as they look on screen, for checking form design or keeping a printed record of data entry.This is an excellent solution if
How to calculate and track elapsed time. We receive lots of questions about tracking elapsed time, which confuses everyone at first. If you’re working within the same 24 hour time period, you can use the simple expression [endtime] – [starttime] to return the number of hours and minutes spent on
Access Archon #162 Getting around Vista Security We have all seen those ads where the Mac guy acts superior to the PC guy who is constantly bothered by the Vista Secret Service agent asking if he wants to cancel or continue every time he tries to do something on his
How to make the current row a different color for continuous forms or datasheet type subform (and for continuous forms-type main forms). Access Archon #173 Introduction When you have a form with a continuous forms or datasheet type subform, sometimes it is a good idea to highlight the current row
Suiting Access 2007’s Navigation Pane display to your liking. Q: Gordon Rennie writes: “Now with Access 2007 the database window has disappeared and been replaced with a stupid list at the side that only shows one item per line. Is there any way to get the database window back? or
How to open a form when making a selection from a listbox on another form. Q: Martin wrote to ask if I could help with code to open a form to a specific record when the user makes a selection from a listbox on another form. A: This is easy
How to save a report to PDF file in Access 2007. Access Archon #156 Introduction For many years now, Access users have wanted the option of saving a report to the PDF format. An Access report saved as a PDF file can be opened by anyone (unlike Access snapshots,
A reader offers some further information about the CreateMonthList function. José Dumoulin wrote in response to the CreateMonthList function in the sample database for Access Archon #146: For us, Europeans, it is necessary, in this line, to replace commas by semicolons: strMonthList = strMonthMinus3 & ” ” & strYearMinus3
How to display an ID field in a closed combo box but hide it in a drop-down list. Q: Rich writes that he needs to display an ID field in a closed combo box, but doesn’t want it to appear in the drop-down list. The field is the first one
A reader suggests another way to convert a numeric option value to text. In AW 7.12 I suggested using the Switch function to convert numeric values from a choice in an option group to text values. Tom Bushaw writes to suggest another possibility, the Choose function. The Choose function yields a
The Office Update page of the Microsoft Web site offers a useful toolkit for analyzing databases prior to converting them to Access 2003 format. It is called the Access 2003 Conversion Toolkit, listed under the Add-ins link under the Access 2003 heading on the page. Donn Edwards offers a utility
