SQL Server

SQL Server Connectors in 2022

To get access to the latest features--especially security features--be sure you're using the latest ADO provider and ODBC driver for SQL Server.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Force IntelliSense to Appear When Writing VBA

Does the IntelliSense dropdown ever disappear when you're writing VBA? Do you backspace and re-type the dot to get it back? There's a better way.

Commentary

Yes, VBA-Enabled Office Docs are a Significant Threat

VBA-enabled documents are commonly used to open the door for more virulent malware.

SQL Server

How Access Reads Data From SQL Server

How does Microsoft Access pull data from SQL Server? You'll be amazed when we pull back the curtain to expose how Access interacts with SQL Server.

Combo Boxes

Dealing with Inactive Items in a Combo Box Row Source

There are many ways to deal with inactive RowSource items in combo boxes. Here's a no-code technique that I find myself coming back to time and again.

Deployment

Adding a Machine-Wide Trusted Location in MS Access

Let me show you how to add a Trusted Location for every user on a device even if that device doesn't have a full copy of Microsoft Access.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: February 13, 2022

Highlights include a new Settings filter bar and WinForms Controls Package updates included by default with future twinBASIC extension updates.

Announcement

Office to Disable All VBA Code in Files from the Internet

Beginning in April 2022, users will no longer have the option to manually enable VBA code in Office files downloaded from the internet.

Tools

3 Ways to Find Showplan.out

Finding Jet ShowPlan's showplan.out file can be deceptively difficult. Here are three approaches to make it easy. At least one is guaranteed to work.

Tools

Using ProcMon to Troubleshoot Registry Calls

Finding the correct registry keys for JetShowPlan and ODBC TraceSqlMode can be tricky. Let ProcMon take the guesswork out of the process.

Announcement

Upcoming Presentation: Troubleshooting Query Performance

Join me online on Thursday, March 17, for my presentation, "Troubleshooting Query Performance," to the Denver Area Access User Group.

Commentary

Is Microsoft Access a Good Development Platform in 2022?

Microsoft has embraced the mantra of "move fast and break things." For Access, though, Microsoft is only delivering on the latter part of that promise.

Class Modules

Caching Object Instances in VBA Classes

Simplify the object initialization code in your class modules without sacrificing performance using this easy technique.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: February 6, 2022

Highlights include the milestone release of WinForms functionality, control inheritance, ReadOnly class properties, and twinPACK updating documentation.

Bug Alert

Bug Alert: Cannot Open Any More Tables/Databases

Check out the latest bug release from Microsoft: "Cannot open any more tables/databases.", .laccdb file remains, msaccess.exe hangs, and more...

Ribbon

Icon Dimensions in the Office Ribbon

Custom ribbon icons look sharpest when they are displayed at their native resolution.

Quick Tip

Inserting a Blank Line in the VBA Immediate Window

Did you know you can insert a newline character in the Immediate Window without executing the current line of code?

Form Design

Add a Custom Right-Click Menu to an Access Control

It's easier than you might think to add a right-click menu to a control on your Access form.

SQL

Fixing Circular References in Access Queries

Did you get the error message, "Circular reference caused by alias 'MyField' in query definition's SELECT list"? Don't worry; it's an easy fix!

Commentary

Code is WORM: Act Accordingly

Write Once. Read Many. The cost of avoiding shortcuts when writing code is far exceeded by the benefits you'll get when reading it.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: January 30, 2022

Highlights include a sample project demonstrating the WaynesGrid control and a timeline update for the release of (some) native Win32 controls.

Tools

Simple Fix for Missing DBF Support in Access 2013

Quick fix installers that restore Access 2013 DBF support *PLUS* the techniques I used to build the installers using 7-Zip and Inno Setup.

Basic

Microsoft Access Acronyms

Bookmark this handy reference so the next time you come across an Access acronym that you don't recognize, you will have a quick way to look it up.

Tools

Creating a Shortcut to an Environment Variable Path

If you rely on OneDrive or SharePoint to collaborate on files with your team, this tip will help you provide a uniform way to access data across all devices.

Form Design

Tabbed Master-Detail Form

The tabbed master-detail form is the heart of my Access applications. The first tab has record details, while the other tabs provide subforms for one-to-many relationships.