Mike Wolfe - No Longer Set (Page 42)

When to Use Right Outer Joins in SQL

What's the difference between a RIGHT JOIN and a LEFT JOIN and why use one versus the other?

How to Remove Special Characters from a VBA String

A simple function to remove special characters from a string in VBA. Useful for sanitizing file names, sheet names in Excel, and lots of other stuff.

Code Library

Automatically Cleaning Up Temporary Files on Program Exit

A dead-simple way to clean up temporary files without having to worry about waiting until they are no longer in use.

SQL Server

Quick Way to Troubleshoot SQL Server ADO Connections

This simple trick provides you with plenty of clues when debugging a failed SQL Server connection on a user's computer.

Code Library

How to Check if VBA is Running in 64-bit Mode

A simple function (or class property) that returns whether the VBA code is running under 32-bit mode or 64-bit mode.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: December 19, 2021

Highlights include support for importing VB6 project files (*.vbp), new MsgBox options, and a spirited discussion about what tB's design priorities should be.

Advanced

JetShowPlan Manager

The quickest and easiest way to get started analyzing Microsoft Access query performance is with IslaDogs' JetShowPlan Manager application.

Bug Alert

Access Bug Alert: Errors When Opening Network Database Files

If you started receiving the error "File in use" or "Could not lock file" in December 2021, you may be the victim of an Access bug. Here's how to fix it.

Basic

How to Loop Through a List of Strings in VBA

Looking for a quick and simple way to loop through a list of strings? These 4 lines of code are all you need.

Announcement

Access NewsCast with Karl Donaubauer: Episode 1

The very first edition of Access News with Karl Donaubauer was released today. Catch up on the latest news and updates in this 30-minute video.

Intermediate

How to Remove the Time Portion From a Date Variable in VBA

In this article, I run a series of experiments to explore how different time-stripping approaches work in VBA.

Code Library

A Function to Quote Literal Dates When Building SQL in VBA

This improved version of my date-quoting convenience function eliminates a common source of date-handling ambiguity via the ISO date format.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: December 12, 2021

Highlights include the File I/O system reaching feature-complete status, an updated twinBASIC roadmap, and experimental text encoding support.

Code Library

A Safer Alternative to BETWEEN When Filtering Dates

This convenient function generates defensive SQL statements to help you avoid the subtle dangers of the BETWEEN statement when filtering dates.

SQL Server

3 Gotchas of the SQL BETWEEN Statement

The SQL BETWEEN statement produces very readable condition expressions. But developers of all skill levels can still get into trouble with it.

Tools

Advanced Data Generator 4: First Look

Looking to generate lots of test data in your backend Access databases? Advanced Data Generator 4 may be exactly what you are looking for.

Advanced

Using Windows Authentication to Connect to SQL Server from Outside the Domain

You don't need to join your computer to a domain to be able to connect to SQL Server using Windows Authentication. You just need to know this simple trick.

Code Library

Preventing File-Writing Race Conditions in VBA

If you're waiting on an external process to write a file to disk, how can you be sure it's really done? This routine helps avoid (or at least rule out) some race conditions in VBA.

Advanced

Side-by-Side Installs of 32-bit and 64-bit Versions of Access

You can't install two different Office bitnesses side by side on the same computer. Or can you? ...

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: December 5, 2021

Highlights include the implementation of additional File System features, improved performance for Split and Replace, and a discussion about universal binaries.

Debugging

How to Set a Breakpoint in Startup Code in VBA

Ever set a breakpoint in your Access application's startup code, only to have it get cleared before it got hit? There's a simple workaround.

COM

Microsoft Office COM Automation Libraries

The VBA developer's guide to automating Microsoft Office applications: early vs late binding; CreateObject vs GetObject; and tips on cleaning up after yourself.

Hidden Features

Hidden Feature: Drag and Drop Access Objects Between Files

Skip the "Import Access Objects" dialog screens and use your mouse to move Tables, Queries, Forms, Reports, and code modules between Access files.

Announcement

Access Dataverse Connector Presentations

A list of past and upcoming presentations on the Access Dataverse connector with Access Program Manager Michael Aldridge.

Commentary

The State of Access Today

What's the state of Microsoft Access in 2021: thriving, alive, dying, or dead? If you only know Access by reputation, the answer may surprise you.