Launch switchboard without Access screen behind it

#1 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:32 AM

Is there a way to launch just the switchboard screen (and then navigate using
the the switchboard and/or controls on forms) without having the Access
screen as a background?

*

#2 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:32 AM

Turn off showing the Database Window under Tools | Startup
While you're there, make sure to designate your Switchboard form as the startup form.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/information-technology/12820-launch-switchboard-without-access-screen-behind.html
The next time you open the database only the Switchboard form will show.

--
Jeff Conrad
Access Junkie - MVP
http://home.bendbroadband.com/conrad...essjunkie.html
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/articles.html

"H2OBOWL" wrote in message:
news:77C0F0E0-BAF2-4ACB-9D19-BE1B73E9CC36@microsoft.com...

> Is there a way to launch just the switchboard screen (and then navigate using
> the the switchboard and/or controls on forms) without having the Access
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820
> screen as a background?

#3 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:32 AM

I have done that but I was wondering if there is a way to set it to open/run
without the grey Access screen in the background.

#4 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:32 AM

It is possibly using the code and technique illustrated here:
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820

http://www.mvps.org/access/api/api0019.htm

However, I advise against this unless the circumstances permit.

Before you go down this road I *strongly* advise you read my comments and warnings about this setup
here:

http://www.utteraccess.com/forums/sh...164841&fpart=1

Read through all the comments and you'll see my warnings and suggestions for better techniques.

--
Jeff Conrad
Access Junkie - MVP
http://home.bendbroadband.com/conrad...essjunkie.html
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/articles.html

"H2OBOWL" wrote in message:
news:4BF05A56-E23E-49D6-AE44-90A88DA973B0@microsoft.com...

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820
>I have done that but I was wondering if there is a way to set it to open/run
> without the grey Access screen in the background.

#5 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:32 AM

After reading what you suggested I would like to test doing this. My db is
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820
just one I'm playing with and practicing because I like Access and the db is
quite simple, plus I'm doing backups so if something went wrong it shouldn't
be that much of a problem.

I was trying to impliment it and I see the code below the instructions but I
don't understand this part:
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820
.....call the fSetAccessWindow function with SW_HIDE as the argument.

My Access skills are nothing to brag about...

#6 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:32 AM

Ok, as long as you understand the limitations.

Here are some instructions I have posted in the past:

>>>>>
1. Create a back-up copy of your database file. Don't skip t*his step!!
2. Go to this web site:

http://www.mvps.org/access/api/api0019.htm

Copy all that code to a new standard module.
Standard Module, *not* a form module!

3. Compile the code, save the module and name it modHideAcce*ssWindow.
4. Open your main form (the one that you want the users to s*ee) and go to Design View.
5. Set these Form's Properties:
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820

Auto Center- Yes
Pop-Up - Yes
Modal - Yes

6. Open the code behind the form and copy this code into the* Form's Open event:

Private Sub Form_Open(Cancel As Integer)

Me.Visible = True
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820
fSetAccessWindow (SW_HIDE)

End Sub

7. You MUST put an exit command button on this form that clo*ses all of Access. Something with a
line like:

DoCmd.Quit

...in the button's Click event.

8. Compile the code, close and save the form.
9. Close the database and then re-open. It *should* now comp*letely hide the Access window and only
show the data entry form.
>>>>>

--
Jeff Conrad
Access Junkie - MVP
http://home.bendbroadband.com/conrad...essjunkie.html
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/articles.html

"H2OBOWL" wrote in message:
news:FBCFE74F-A5B9-44F4-8E97-3D1CE0A82C20@microsoft.com...

> After reading what you suggested I would like to test doing this. My db is
> just one I'm playing with and practicing because I like Access and the db is
> quite simple, plus I'm doing backups so if something went wrong it shouldn't
> be that much of a problem.
>
> I was trying to impliment it and I see the code below the instructions but I
> don't understand this part:
> ....call the fSetAccessWindow function with SW_HIDE as the argument.
>
> My Access skills are nothing to brag about...

#7 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:32 AM

Thank you. It worked but wouldn't let me launch other forms with the form
that was visible. But that got me thinking about another attractive option
(and maybe you'll agree it's better - if it's possible).
Could it be set up so that the Access screen was not hidden but just
minimized, and therefore not behind the forms I would be working with?
Would that let me use the switchboard to launch other forms and reports?

"Jeff Conrad" wrote:

> Ok, as long as you understand the limitations.
>
> Here are some instructions I have posted in the past:
>
> >>>>>
> 1. Create a back-up copy of your database file. Don't skip tÂ*his step!!
> 2. Go to this web site:
>
> http://www.mvps.org/access/api/api0019.htm
>
> Copy all that code to a new standard module.
> Standard Module, *not* a form module!
>
> 3. Compile the code, save the module and name it modHideAcceÂ*ssWindow.
> 4. Open your main form (the one that you want the users to sÂ*ee) and go to Design View.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820
> 5. Set these Form's Properties:
>
> Auto Center- Yes
> Pop-Up - Yes
> Modal - Yes
>
> 6. Open the code behind the form and copy this code into theÂ* Form's Open event:
>
> Private Sub Form_Open(Cancel As Integer)
>
> Me.Visible = True
> fSetAccessWindow (SW_HIDE)
>
> End Sub
>
> 7. You MUST put an exit command button on this form that cloÂ*ses all of Access. Something with a
> line like:
>
> DoCmd.Quit
>
> ...in the button's Click event.
>
> 8. Compile the code, close and save the form.
> 9. Close the database and then re-open. It *should* now compÂ*letely hide the Access window and only
> show the data entry form.
> >>>>>
>
> --
> Jeff Conrad
> Access Junkie - MVP
> http://home.bendbroadband.com/conrad...essjunkie.html
> http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/articles.html
>
> "H2OBOWL" wrote in message:
> news:FBCFE74F-A5B9-44F4-8E97-3D1CE0A82C20@microsoft.com...
>
> > After reading what you suggested I would like to test doing this. My db is
> > just one I'm playing with and practicing because I like Access and the db is
> > quite simple, plus I'm doing backups so if something went wrong it shouldn't
> > be that much of a problem.
> >
> > I was trying to impliment it and I see the code below the instructions but I
> > don't understand this part:
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820
> > ....call the fSetAccessWindow function with SW_HIDE as the argument.
> >
> > My Access skills are nothing to brag about...
>
>
>

#8 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:32 AM

Jeff,
I forgot to say that I tried to minimize Access the instructions but
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820
substituted the (SW_SHOWMINIMIZED) for the (SW_HIDE) arguement but it gave me
the error:
Cannot minimize Access with Main Switchboard form on screen

#9 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:32 AM

"H2OBOWL" wrote in message:
news:183B603A-E6B4-4C69-86D1-EC73783C4AC2@microsoft.com...

Hi,

Comments in-line...

> Thank you. It worked but wouldn't let me launch other forms with the form
> that was visible.

Bingo! This is what I was talking about when I listed the downsides of using this approach. It
becomes an absolute nightmare because every form has to be Pop-Up and Modal and it gets very
confusing to control everything.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820
> But that got me thinking about another attractive option
> (and maybe you'll agree it's better - if it's possible).
> Could it be set up so that the Access screen was not hidden but just
> minimized, and therefore not behind the forms I would be working with?

I don't believe it is possible. You cannot have Access minimized and still expect to see a form on
the screen (at least not that I'm aware). The same is true for like Word and Excel. Can you have a
Word doc or an Excel sheet on the screen while the application shell itself is minimized? Nope.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=12820

> Would that let me use the switchboard to launch other forms and reports?

Nope, not going to happen. And remember I did point out in that UA thread that you simply *cannot*
preview reports on the screen using this approach.

Your best bet is to set limited startup options and build custom menu bars and toolbars. This will
make your application look like a Windows application instead of an Access database.
--
Jeff Conrad
Access Junkie - MVP
http://home.bendbroadband.com/conrad...essjunkie.html
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/articles.html