Possible to open someone else's database

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rita King
  • Start date Start date
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Rita King

I have never used Access at all.
The closest I have come is in trying to open this database (.mdb) that was
created by someone who has now left the firm.
It was created with Access 2000. I have Access 2002. I want to take a look
at the workings of his database but I get a message window "You should not
need to open this file directly as manipulation of the data is conducted via
forms provided".
Then Access closes.
Obviously some kind of security. Can I bypass this?
Thanks
 
Rita King said:
I have never used Access at all.
The closest I have come is in trying to open this database (.mdb)
that was created by someone who has now left the firm.
It was created with Access 2000. I have Access 2002. I want to take a
look at the workings of his database but I get a message window "You
should not need to open this file directly as manipulation of the
data is conducted via forms provided".
Then Access closes.
Obviously some kind of security. Can I bypass this?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Homegrown security, at that. First thing to try: hold down the Shift
key as you open the database.
 
Rita King said:
I have never used Access at all.
The closest I have come is in trying to open this database (.mdb)
that was created by someone who has now left the firm.
It was created with Access 2000. I have Access 2002. I want to take a
look at the workings of his database but I get a message window "You
should not need to open this file directly as manipulation of the
data is conducted via forms provided".
Then Access closes.
Obviously some kind of security. Can I bypass this?
Thanks
Click to expand...

The message sounds to me as if it's intended to keep you out of a
back-end (data-only) database, and restrict you to using a separate
front-end that uses this database as its data store. Is there a
separate front-end database (or, maybe, executable application) that you
should be looking at instead, or as well?
 
Probably a simple AutoExec Macro or Start-up Form that gives you the message
and then closes the database.

Hold the Shift key down while you are opening the database to bypass the
start-up option and get the notmal Access Containers window and normal Menu.
If this doesn't work, re-post as the AllowBypassKey has probably been
disabled.

However, be careful when you change things in the database as the Forms,
etc... in the user's Interface Application may not work correctly if you
change the database.
 
Well, I'll be darned! Thanks Dirk, just held down the shift key and I'm in.
Yes, the guy created a couple of forms (that's what I'll call them) that the
secretaries filled in and that info was stored in (I assume) this database.
Thanks
 
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