Mike Wolfe - No Longer Set (Page 48)

twinBASIC Update: January 9, 2022

Highlights include error messages that now match VBx, a twinBASIC Discord server, and a teaser about twinBASIC's potential as a VBA replacement.

Bug Alert

Patching Access 2013 Runtime to Fix "File Already In Use" Bug

Step-by-step process to patch the 2021 Holiday Bug for Office/Access 2013. These same steps can be adapted to patch other versions, too.

Text-To-Speech

Reading Text Aloud in Microsoft Access

Want a quick way to get started with Text-to-Speech in your VBA application? This 4-line method gets the job done and requires no references!

Advanced

The Microsoft Access Ternary Operator

It's a function. It's a statement. It's an operator. It's a--what the heck do we call this short-circuit-evaluating IIf() thing and why does it even matter?

Form Design

Modern Message Boxes in Access

These modern message boxes from Kevin Bell will help set your Access applications apart from the crowd.

Form Design

IslaDogs: Getting Creative with the Access Application Interface

This one-hour video from Colin Riddington (aka IslaDogs) is jam-packed with API-based Access user interface hacks.

Intermediate

The IIf() Function vs. The IIf() Statement

They may look identical, but there is a very important difference in how they get evaluated.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: January 2, 2022

Highlights include a feature to generate missing implementations, minor improvements to the Reference List UX, and some spirited debates.

Form Design

Two-Way Many-to-Many Form

Presenting many-to-many relationships intuitively is tricky. I use this style of form when the two sides of the relationship have a small number of records.

Form Design

Progress Tracker Form

For recurring processes that have lots of required subtasks but with no dependencies among the subtasks, I turn to my Progress Tracker Form.

Form Design

Master Lookup Form

The Master Lookup Form is the hub of my Access applications.

Form Design

Form Design Gallery

An ever-expanding gallery of Microsoft Access form design tips, techniques, and inspiration.

Bug Alert

Partial Workaround for the "Could not lock file" Bug

This experimental function could help you avoid the "Could not lock file" error when running the OpenDatabase method of a DBEngine object.

COM

COM Server Types: In-Process vs. Local vs. Remote

There are three basic types of COM servers: in-process, local, and remote. What do they have in common? What are the differences? Let's explore.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: December 26, 2021

Highlights include several improvements to the COM references list, a fix for the hidden dialog windows issue, and many discussions about possible tB features.

Holiday

Merry Christmas

"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.' "

SQL

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?

Code Library

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.