Mike Wolfe

TempVars

Safely Using TempVars in Queries

Calling TempVars directly from a query can cause issues. Instead, use this simple wrapper function to save yourself some potential headaches.

TempVars

Beware TempVars in Queries

Many Access users rave about using TempVars with queries. I decided to see what the hype was about. What I found shocked me.

TempVars

TV: The TempVars Class Module

A TempVars class module that provides visibility, type safety, IntelliSense, and compile-time typo checks.

TempVars

A Safer Way to Use TempVars

The TempVars object is an intriguing alternative to traditional global variables, but it has some shortcomings. Here's one way to work around them.

VBA

Namespaces in VBA

VBA may not have the same level of formal support for namespaces as VB.NET, but with a little creativity, we can realize the same benefits in other ways.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: September 18, 2022

Highlights include the initial implementation of a PictureBox control and a custom Windows Event Viewer written in twinBASIC.

Week in Review

Week in Review: September 17, 2022

Highlights include a new YouTube channel from Daniel Pineault, modern chart reference, and form resizing and "profiles" videos.

Commentary

Avoid Context Switching for More Readable Code

Writing code is like juggling. But mixing code, queries, and global state is like juggling balls, bowling pins, and running chainsaws.

Unicode

Unicode MsgBox Revisited

A small improvement to my Unicode-friendly MsgBox and a handy trick for avoiding compile errors across Word/Excel/Access/etc.

Commentary

PICNIC: The Underlying Cause of Many Technical Support Calls

A PICNIC is the most frequent source of problems on technical support calls.

Advanced

Unicode Private Use Areas in VBA

Looking for a safe temporary character or text delimiter that is guaranteed to not exist in your data set? Look no further than the Unicode Private Use Areas.

Video

VIDEO: "Codifying" Long Names

Former Access MVP Jack Stockton translates my SQL Server "Codify()" function to work with Microsoft Access backend databases.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: September 11, 2022

Highlights include 4 new form controls (TreeView, DriveListBox, DirListBox, FileListBox), an impromptu Q&A with Wayne, and WinNativeForms source.

Week in Review

Week in Review: September 10, 2022

Highlights include a major milestone for (and giveaway from) Richard Rost, a data classification guide, and an Access QR code generator.

Advanced

Understanding Signed and Unsigned Numbers in VBA

Signed and unsigned numbers–and their hexadecimal representations–can interact in surprising ways in VBA.

DevCon

Access DevCon Vienna 2022 - Access Roadmap Update

Highlights include a new "High Confidence" approach to the roadmap, a sneak peek at the modern browser control, and background on the Monster Bug.

Code Library

ObscureInfo(): Hide Sensitive Information in Access Form Controls

Avoid over-the-shoulder attacks and prevent accidental disclosures in your Microsoft Access forms with this easy-to-implement function.

Forms

7 Ways to Loop Through Controls on a Microsoft Access Form

There are many ways to use VBA to hide/show or lock/unlock groups of controls on an Access form. Here are seven different techniques you can use.

Debugging

3 Benefits of Documenting Your Debugging Process

It may sound counterintuitive, but taking the time to document your debugging process will save you time--both now and in the future.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: September 4, 2022

Highlights include new IDE shortcut keys, an awesome new IDE History panel, and a project from fafalone that showcases twinBASIC's interface definition feature.

Week in Review

Week in Review: September 3, 2022

Highlights include an add-in to check Access/Windows/Office versions, a query metadata viewer, and multiple ways to change the mouse cursor in MS Access.

Video

VIDEO: Sorting Continuous Forms

A 12-minute video that shows you how to implement my NewSort and UseHand functions for sorting continuous forms in MS Access.

Code Library

NewSort(): Sort a Continuous Form by Clicking on the Column Label

Sort a continuous form in MS Access by simply pointing at a column label. These functions make it easy.

Code Library

UseHand(): Changing the Mouse Cursor in Microsoft Access

A classic Microsoft Access mouse cursor trick gets simplified and updated for 64-bit VBA compatibility.

Video

Access Job Interview Questions: Follow-up Q&A

Topics covered include Access security best practices, "deploying" trusted locations to users, and avoiding reserved words when naming database objects.