MDW switch?

[Al]

I have a split database.
The frontend resides on desktop or "My Documents" folder.
I want code or process where when the user opens their
Access frontend mdb, the workgroup file (mdw) is joined or
switched to MY secured workgroup file AND when they close
the frontend, Access the reverts back to default
system .mdw.
Im trying to stay away from users having to play with the
Workgroup Administrator on their own. I've tried using
shortcuts but keep having issues.

thank you.

 

[Scott McDaniel]

What "issues" are you having with your shortcuts? I have found them to be
very useful methods to switch between workgroups, but they are finicky about
syntax. The correct syntax for a desktop shortcut would be:

"Path to MSACESS.EXE" "Path to your frontend" /wrkgrp "Path to your
workgroup"

Note that these should be fully qualified paths, and UNC paths are allowed.
If you build a properly formed, valid shortcut your users can easily switch
between workgroups and databases ...

 

[helenp]

I'm having similar issues. I have a database set up on a
network, and have multiple users with different
permissions. I've set up the mdw file, I just need to
tell Access/Windows to make it use the custom file
instead of the default on each PC without having people
go to the workgroup administrator (can you say, "security
optional"?). My reference says to use a shortcut with a
command-line option, but that doesn't seem to be working.
Any ideas?

Helen

 

[Scott McDaniel]

It does work, but you must get the syntax correct. Create a new shortcut on
your desktop and set the Target to this:

"Path to MSACCESS.exe" "Path to your database" /wrkgrp "Path to your
workgroup file"

 

[helenp]

Thanks, Scott. It was the syntax I was struggling with (I
haven't needed to modify a command line in about 12
years). Our IT manager (who has average familiarity with
Access) is pretty insistent that I should use some other
method of security (though she doesn't know what), but I
don't see how I could do so and still get user-level
security to customize people's access to the data. **Is**
there a better way?

-----Original Message-----
It does work, but you must get the syntax correct. Create a new shortcut on
your desktop and set the Target to this:

"Path to MSACCESS.exe" "Path to your

database" /wrkgrp "Path to your

 

[helenp]

Okay, not having any luck. I've used this syntax for the
shortcut target line:
X:\DataBase\Clientbook\ClientInfoSystemv2.mdb /wrkgrp
X:\DataBase\Clientbook\Security\RCISv2.mdw

I've tried it with and without the .mdw filename, played
with spaces, etc., and it still opens with the default
security. I've also tried putting in the path to
MSACCESS.EXE, but it just tells me the path C:\Program
(actually C:\Program Files) is invalid and sulks. What am
I doing wrong?

HP

-----Original Message-----
It does work, but you must get the syntax correct. Create a new shortcut on
your desktop and set the Target to this:

"Path to MSACCESS.exe" "Path to your

database" /wrkgrp "Path to your

 

[Immanuel Sibero]

Hi Helen

In the shortcut target, you have to include three things :
- a reference to msaccess (Access program itself)
- a reference to the Access database (usually something.mdb)
- a reference to the security file (usually something.mdw)

Example:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office2000\Office\MSACCESS.EXE"
"X:\DataBase\Clientbook\ClientInfoSystemv2.mdb" /wrkgrp
"X:\DataBase\Clientbook\Security\RCISv2.mdw"


Note:
- You maybe missing the double quotes
- The above shortcut assumes Access2000. Make sure you change this as
necessary.

HTH,
Immanuel Sibero

 

[helenp]

Thanks muches. I finally got it working, though we had to
brangle a bit about it wanting the .mdw in the user's
home directory for a while. I won.