Code Library - No Longer Set

How To: Enforce Consistent Letter Casing in VBA

Conquer VBA's case-changing "feature" once and for all with this simple, brute-force solution: the StandardizeLetterCasing() function.

Code Library

loggerTextFile: Log Messages to Text Files with clsLog--The VBA Logging Framework

This "logger" class module integrates with our VBA logging framework--clsLog--to write messages to text files.

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CompileCurrentAccessApp(): Use VBA to Create an ACCDE or MDE of the Currently Open Access File

This function allows you to create an .accde or .mde file based on your current Access file with a single press of the F5 key.

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FileIsOpen(): Check If Another User or Process Has a File Locked

This simple function detects whether a file is already open in another application allowing you to handle such situations with grace and confidence.

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GetCtlAtMouse(): A Reliable Way to Return the Current Control Object Under the Mouse Cursor in Access

In this follow-up to my earlier article on the undocumented AccHitTest() method, we improve how we handle errors when the mouse is over an empty area of the form.

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How to Open a File with its Default Application in VBA

One of the handiest functions I use in my Access applications is this gem from Dev Ashish: fHandleFile(). Here's how to make it compatible with 64-bit VBA.

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How to Set the Background Color of the Microsoft Access Application Window with VBA

A series of Windows API calls will "repaint" the Microsoft Access canvas with the color of your choice. It is a bit rough around the edges, though...

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GetCanvas(): Convenience Function for Working with Windows API Calls in Access

This simple function serves as a great foundation for manipulating the display of Microsoft Access forms and reports with a variety of Windows API calls.

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CenterForm(): Using the Windows API to Center Forms on the Access Canvas

The form Auto-Center property is all you need in most cases. However, let's consider four different situations where my custom code might be a better fit.

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GetInnerAccessHwnd(): Retrieve the Window Handle to the Microsoft Access Canvas

This function returns the window handle to the Microsoft Access "canvas", the inner portion of the application window where forms and reports are drawn.

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UserPressed(): Break Out of a Long-Running Loop in VBA with the Escape Key

This API call captures keyboard input from the user without relying on any of the form keyboard events.

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Automating Temporary Data Cleanup in Access with the ClearTempTables() Procedure

The ClearTempTables() procedure is a quick way to empty out temporary tables in your front-end Access files before deploying updates.

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GetInfoForm(): Get User Input Without Needing a Global Form

The GetInfoForm() function simplifies the task of returning user input from an unbound form without stashing values in a hidden global form.

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Convenience Function for Passing Values Between Forms via a Hidden Global Form

I don't always use a global form to stash user-provided values, but when I do, I use this GetInfo() function.

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High-Performance VBA String Concatenation with clsStringBuilder

clsStringBuilder takes a collection-based approach to speed up string concatenation.

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clsConcat: Blazing-Fast String Building Performance in VBA

You don't need to understand how to pre-allocate a memory buffer in VBA to take advantage of this blazing-fast string builder class.

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Pause Code Until a Form is Closed or Hidden (without acDialog)

Pausing code execution until a form is closed OR hidden can be a handy feature. This function delivers that without the other constraints of acDialog.

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How to Pause Code Execution Until a Form or Report is Closed (Without Using acDialog)

Do you need to pause your code until the user closes a form or report but are running into problems using acDialog? This simple function is your answer.

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CascadeForm(): Prevent Multi-Instance Forms From Hiding Behind Each Other

The CascadeForm() function introduces the cascading-window effect from the Windows operating system to Microsoft Access.

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4 Keys to Building Generic Solutions in Code

Building and maintaining a library of custom code procedures is an investment that provides compounding benefits over time.

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MergeLines(): A Handy Function for Building Address Blocks

This handy little function takes care of the tedious chore of creating multi-line strings devoid of blank lines.

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FirstValidPath()

Simplify your VBA code with the versatile FirstValidPath convenience function, which efficiently determines the first valid path from a list of potential matches.