Re: when users go around the form to update table directly

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

From: Joan Wild (jwild_at_nospamtyenet.com)
Date: 08/20/04 

Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 12:28:07 -0400

Laura Prendville wrote:
> I'm in Access 2002.
>
> I made a lovely form to update a timestamp and CurrentUser
> field, but users are going around the form to update the
> table directly.

How are they even getting to the table?

>
> How can i get these fields to update if a user changes
> data directly in the table? I can't even get the
> CurrentUser() to work in the table's default value.

No, that function won't work in a table.

You should:
Create custom menus/toolbars for use throughout your application.
Create a startup form (a main menu form if you have one) that is opened on
startup.
Use the features in Tools, Startup to
        set the startup form
        set your default menu (the custom one you made)
        disable all the checkboxes about allowing built in menus, toolbars,
changes etc.
        hide the db window (ensure the custom menu you create does not
include the Windows, Unhide item)
        Click on the Advanced button and uncheck the allow special keys
(this will disable the F11 key, among others)

If you need to bypass these startup features, you can hold the shift key
down while you open the db. If you feel that your users may use this to
bypass your settings, you can disable the shift key bypass - there's an
example in help for doing this(look for AllowBypassKey) or at
 http://www.mvps.org/access/modules/mdl0011.htm
and
 http://www.mvps.org/access/general/gen0040.htm

You can also create a MDE from your database, which will prevent changes to
forms, reports and modules (If you do this, be certain to keep your original
mdb in case you need to make changes). 

-- 
Joan Wild
Microsoft Access MVP
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