STARTUP?

[alex]

Hello Experts,

I'm finalizing a small database and have a question about locking the
menu items on startup.

I have a switchboard that opens automatically when the user clicks the
icon. Everything is locked up for the most part; however I can't seem
to lock or hide the menu bars. Users still have the ability to choose
many items among < File, Edit, Insert, Records, Window, Help >

Any advice on how I can completely lock these menu options and limit
the user to only commands that I've placed on the form?

Thanks for your time.

alex

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

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

 

[alex]

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

Thanks Albert for your response.

I've gone to Tools>Startup and unchecked everything; i can still see/
use some menu items.

Under Menu Bar: it says (default) with no other options.
Under Shortcut Menu Bar is says (default) with no other options.

Maybe your example can provide some answers?

alex

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

Maybe your example can provide some answers?

Well, try the example...and note how you don't see any of ms-access.

Now, exit...and re-enter holding down the shift key during start-up. That is
how you have to get into your application to develop, and change things --
If you think about this, you need a "user" way that hides everything, and a
"developer" way that lets you work. Obviously, you can't work and develop if
you hidden the interface!!!

Of course, during development, you will hold down the shift key so your
start-up settings don't run. You then develop for awhile, and then to test
in
"user" mode, you exit..and then re-enter the application without the shift
key bypassed. You will likely do this dance all day long as you run/test as
user mode, and then flip back in to developer mode (shift key used..so you
don't get the main custom menu). So, you can't develop, or really modify
things when you run your application with the start-up settings...so you
must
shift-by-pass them when you want to work.

And, in fact, I use alt-f4 to exit the application...the mdb file should
still be highlighted in the windows explore..so, then you hit enter key
(and, hold down shift key if you need be). This key stroke sequence and
exiting and re-entering the application will occur CONSTANTLY all day long
when you are developing.

When you finally have things just right...you create the mde
you plan to distribute...

The sample hides all of the interface because a custom menu bar was made.
You can make a real simple one. You simply specify that menu bar as the main
menu bar, and presto..all others are hidden. You also of course do need to
"un-display" any extra laying around menu bars in your apcpation. (this
would be done after you shift-enter into the database. So, if after you
enter..and for some reason the report menu is showing...you need to simply
un-show it.

Take a look at the startup settings in the sample....

 

[alex]

Well, try the example...and note how you don't see any of ms-access.

Now, exit...and re-enter holding down the shift key during start-up. That is
how you have to get into your application to develop, and change things --
If you think about this, you need a "user" way that hides everything, and a
"developer" way that lets you work. Obviously, you can't work and develop if
you hidden the interface!!!

Of course, during development, you will hold down the shift key so your
start-up settings don't run. You then develop for awhile, and then to test
in
"user" mode, you exit..and then re-enter the application without the shift
key bypassed. You will likely do this dance all day long as you run/test as
user mode, and then flip back in to developer mode (shift key used..so you
don't get the main custom menu). So, you can't develop, or really modify
things when you run your application with the start-up settings...so you
must
shift-by-pass them when you want to work.

And, in fact, I use alt-f4 to exit the application...the mdb file should
still be highlighted in the windows explore..so, then you hit enter key
(and, hold down shift key if you need be). This key stroke sequence and
exiting and re-entering the application will occur CONSTANTLY all day long
when you are developing.

When you finally have things just right...you create the mde
you plan to distribute...

The sample hides all of the interface because a custom menu bar was made.
You can make a real simple one. You simply specify that menu bar as the main
menu bar, and presto..all others are hidden. You also of course do need to
"un-display" any extra laying around menu bars in your apcpation. (this
would be done after you shift-enter into the database. So, if after you
enter..and for some reason the report menu is showing...you need to simply
un-show it.

Take a look at the startup settings in the sample....

Thanks again Albert for your guidance.

I see that your database has a custom menu bar, which is why (i'm
assuming) you've been able to limit 'menu' access.

If true, how does one go about creating a custom Menu?

 

[alex]

Thanks again Albert for your guidance.

I see that your database has a custom menu bar, which is why (i'm
assuming) you've been able to limit 'menu' access.

If true, how does one go about creating a custom Menu?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've changed the Menu Bar and Shortcut Menu Bar options: I guess that
may not be my answer.

Bottom line > I've unchecked everything in the Startup option.
Subsequently, I can still see and access the menu bar.

Your menu bar is different and I am unsure why.

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

Bottom line > I've unchecked everything in the Startup option.
Subsequently, I can still see and access the menu bar.

Your menu bar is different and I am unsure why.

So, without any coding...my example works...right!!! Obviously, this means
that I setup my start-up options different then yours. Remember, the sample
is working correctly on YOUR machine!!!

Note the start-up options carefully. You will notice that I specified a menu
bar for the application. That is a menu bar that you must create.

So, the simple solution is to create your own custom menu bar. just put a
exit button/option on it...(you don't have get fancy).

So, create a new custom menu bar. Call it MyMain.

If you look at my option settings close, you see that I specified a custom
menu for the application. This is simple menu that causes everything to be
hidden.

Just right click on an the main ms-access menu bar (remember, we always have
to shift-enter into the application), and select customize.

on the tool bars tab, click on the new button. You will be asked for the
name of the new tool bar (note that once you create this tool bar, you
change it property to a menu bar).

You need to be able to make a custom menu bar....

If you need more info, simply in the help menu, just type in

menu

(at least for a2003 I get a bunch of hits about tool bars and menu bars...)