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Bob BenderFlag for United States of America

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Modifying ACCESS' background, NOT my own forms. Possible?

I have a need to create a "watermark" or background that can be used in an MS Access db.  
Purpose???  To define that the user is running a testversion, as compared to a production version.

Rules....

I can't use change source code (da mdb file) after user has finished testing.  So, I can't change any
form to add a graphic or background saying test.

Thought of using a global variable that could be set dependent upon a file being present in the folder.  Sort of like an .ini file.  If the file is NOT there, it would be production and load this watermark or backgound on startup.

In all honesty, I wouldn't want to change any of my form's backgrounds.  I want to change the background of Access itself.  You know...the one on which the Access obhect window with the Tables, Queries, Forms, Report, etc menu sits.

Like an embossed background with the word TEST in it.  I have the background idea covered.

Just don't know if I can manipulate Access' background.

Thanx in advance.

Bob
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Chris B
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Access uses the "Standard" theme by default, but you can modify this easily - use Tools Autoformat to base a new format on a pre customized form. You would Use this for your pre-release versions and revert to standard for the production version.

Chris B
The "background" cannot be changed. It's basically only a color: the one selected as "application background" in the current color scheme, for all applications.

One client wanted a picture (of himself, naturally) on the background. I tried to create a borderless empty form (with the picture of an octopus instead) and tried every trick I knew to keep it behind all other objects.

No go. There was always something to break the look-and-feel. I guess this would have required some WinAPI calls to control the z-order of objects on screen.

I was able to use the trick once, simply by hiding everything *but* the background, which was also the welcome menu (html style, with hyperlinks to open objects). But that was also the application's style: one form at a time.

One thing you could do is to have one hidden form with a picture and transfer that from to your forms on open:

    Me.PictureData = Forms!frmTestVersion.PictureData

Some error handling or conditions can easily manage test vs licensed versions.

Cheers!
(°v°)
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Avatar of DatabaseMX (Joe Anderson - Former Microsoft Access MVP)
DatabaseMX (Joe Anderson - Former Microsoft Access MVP)
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I should have known. Stephen Lebans is a true master in Access and WinAPI calls!

It's actually good to know. I might even use that some time down the line.

(°v°)
"Stephen Lebans is a true master "

Actually, the true ... GENIUS :-)

mx
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Thanx guys!
this does not work for Access 2007.. works great in 2003l.. can i have an access 2007 solution for background colour please