VBA - No Longer Set

"Microsoft Print to PDF" Default Output Folder

A recap of what I discovered while trying to set the default save folder for the "Microsoft Print to PDF" driver using VBA in Access.

Class Modules

clsLog: A VBA Logging Framework

Introducing clsLog, the no-frills logging framework. Prepare to supercharge your Access logging with the closest thing to NLog or Log4j in the VBA world.

VBA

3 Methods of Logging in VBA

Let's explore the various ways to log information in our Microsoft Access applications.

VBA

How to Get the String Values of an Enum in VBA

Getting the string values for enums in VB.NET is easy using the built-in ToString method. What's the VBA equivalent?

Hidden Features

Three Reasons to Use Named Arguments in VBA

This relatively unknown (and massively underused) syntax can make your VBA code much more readable in certain situations.

Defensive Programming

"Hiding" Global Data in VBA

How to implement Steve McConnell's sage advice for handling global data, with techniques for both global constants and global variables.

SQL Server

Creating a Header Row in Excel from an ADO Recordset

In this followup to my ADO .NextRecordset article, we explore how to create Excel column headers from recordset field names.

SQL Server

How to Use the ADO NextRecordset Method

The ADO .NextRecordset method allows you to handle multiple result sets from a single SQL Server stored procedure.

Commentary

Thomas Jefferson's Accidental Programming Advice

Premature declaration is nothing to be embarrassed about. It can happen to anyone. You don't want to make a habit of it, though.

COM

How VBA IDE Addins Get Loaded From the Windows Registry

A deep dive into how VBA IDE addins get loaded from the Windows Registry to help you avoid getting stuck in DLL hell.

VBA

The Windows Registry: A Deep Dive for VBA Developers

Everything you need to know to get started reading and writing to the Windows Registry from VBA without breaking into a cold sweat.

Backwards Compatibility

Refactoring Procedure Signatures: The Do's and Don'ts

Best practices for modifying procedure signatures while maintaining backward compatibility.

Advanced

Static Linking vs. Dynamic Linking

You've likely heard the terms "dynamic link library", "DLL Hell", and "static linking." But what do they mean? Why should you care? And how do they apply to Access?

Hidden Features

Concatenating Strings in VBA: Plus (+) vs. Ampersand (&)

Both the ampersand and the plus sign operators can be used to join strings in VBA. Clever developers can use this to their advantage.

Code Library

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...

Announcement

Dropping `#If VBA7 Then` From API Declares

Plus, step-by-step instructions for restoring the `#If VBA7 Then` code construct if you still need to support Office 2007 or earlier.

VBA

32-bit vs. 64-bit VBA: Deep Dive

A deep dive into the past, present, and future of the transition from 32-bit VBA to 64-bit VBA.

VBA

The Curious Case of the Return Type of the hWndAccessApp Method in 64-bit VBA

Is everything I thought I knew about 64-bit vs. 32-bit VBA wrong? Or is there a problem with the Access object model? Or is it something else?

VBA

Improve the Readability of Numeric Settings in VBA

In VBA, numeric property settings (such as ComboBox.TextAlign–where 3 = "Right") can be handled in many ways, but some ways are more right than others.

Hidden Features

NEW & IMPROVED: The "Unset" Enum Item

This hidden feature of VBA lets you take advantage of my "Unset" enum item technique without cluttering up your IntelliSense.

VBA

The Secret to Achieving Naming Bliss in VBA Class Modules

This little-known technique from Rubberduck VBA maintainer and MVP Mathieu Guindon will change how you write class modules forever.

VBA

The vbNullChar Constant in VBA

What is the vbNullChar constant in VBA and how does it differ from vbNullString?

VBA

Reader Question: Do DAO Objects Need to be Closed?

Let's explore the conflicting opinions and scarce documentation on whether you need to close your recordsets and databases in Access.

VBA

Nullable Types in VBA

Ever wondered about the best ways to handle Null values in VBA? There's the ideal solution and then there's what's actually available in the language.

VBA

The Pitfalls of Implicit Boolean Conversion in VBA

VBA's implicit boolean conversions can trip up even experienced programmers. Negating the results of the Len() function is a perfect example.