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Solved
AllowSpecialKeys setting not applying to current log-in
Posted on 2001-07-10
I'm trying to disable users from bringing up the database window unless they are in the Admins group. I used the following code which runs when the startup Switchboard form's On Open event runs:
If UserInGroup("Admins") Then
ChangeProperty "AllowSpecialKeys", DB_Boolean, True
Else
ChangeProperty "AllowSpecialKeys", DB_Boolean, False
End If
It runs and does set the AllowSpecialKeys properties (as observed from the Startup dialog box). Unfortunately, the setting doesn't take effect until the next time the database is opened. So if a Admins person logs in on the same PC after Non-Admins person then the Admins person isn't able to open the database window (and he should be able to). Now if he just quit then the next person to use this PC will be able to bring up the database window no matter what group he is in.
Anyone know how to make the setting apply as soon as the person logs in. I know if I run the compact utility then the AllowSpecialKeys setting takes effect but that will slow down the start up process (and I'm not sure I know how to do it with code).
If UserInGroup("Admins") Then
ChangeProperty "AllowSpecialKeys", DB_Boolean, True
Else
ChangeProperty "AllowSpecialKeys", DB_Boolean, False
End If
It runs and does set the AllowSpecialKeys properties (as observed from the Startup dialog box). Unfortunately, the setting doesn't take effect until the next time the database is opened. So if a Admins person logs in on the same PC after Non-Admins person then the Admins person isn't able to open the database window (and he should be able to). Now if he just quit then the next person to use this PC will be able to bring up the database window no matter what group he is in.
Anyone know how to make the setting apply as soon as the person logs in. I know if I run the compact utility then the AllowSpecialKeys setting takes effect but that will slow down the start up process (and I'm not sure I know how to do it with code).
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7 Comments
This setting can only be applied on the next session of Access. What you can do is determine whether the value was changed by testing with GetOption as follows:
Dim blnCurrent As Boolean
Dim blnCorrect As Boolean
blnCurrent = GetOption("AllowSpecialKey
blnCorrect = UserInGroup("Admins")
If blnCurrent <> blnCorrect Then
ChangeProperty "AllowSpecialKeys", DB_BOOLEAN, blnCorrect
Shell "msaccess.exe " & CodeDb.Name
DoCmd.Quit acQuitSaveNone
End If
Dim blnCurrent As Boolean
Dim blnCorrect As Boolean
blnCurrent = GetOption("AllowSpecialKey
blnCorrect = UserInGroup("Admins")
If blnCurrent <> blnCorrect Then
ChangeProperty "AllowSpecialKeys", DB_BOOLEAN, blnCorrect
Shell "msaccess.exe " & CodeDb.Name
DoCmd.Quit acQuitSaveNone
End If
just to be safe, you might want to use:
Public Sub RunAtStartup()
On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
Dim blnCurrent As Boolean
Dim blnCorrect As Boolean
blnCurrent = GetOption("AllowSpecialKey
blnCorrect = UserInGroup("Admins")
If blnCurrent <> blnCorrect Then
ChangeProperty "AllowSpecialKeys", DB_BOOLEAN, blnCorrect
Shell "msaccess.exe " & CodeDb.Name
DoCmd.Quit acQuitSaveNone
End If
Exit Sub
ErrorHandler:
Select Case Err.Number
Case 2091
blnCurrent = True
Resume Next
Case Else
MsgBox "Error " & Err.Number & vbCrLf & Err.Description
End Select
End Sub
Public Sub RunAtStartup()
On Error GoTo ErrorHandler
Dim blnCurrent As Boolean
Dim blnCorrect As Boolean
blnCurrent = GetOption("AllowSpecialKey
blnCorrect = UserInGroup("Admins")
If blnCurrent <> blnCorrect Then
ChangeProperty "AllowSpecialKeys", DB_BOOLEAN, blnCorrect
Shell "msaccess.exe " & CodeDb.Name
DoCmd.Quit acQuitSaveNone
End If
Exit Sub
ErrorHandler:
Select Case Err.Number
Case 2091
blnCurrent = True
Resume Next
Case Else
MsgBox "Error " & Err.Number & vbCrLf & Err.Description
End Select
End Sub
Rather than setting a Db property, I just use a "AutoKeys" macro.
The macro uses three columns
1/ Macro Name -- {F11} (The 'special key' to display the db window)
2/ Condition -- UserInGroup("Admins") (Function returns true or false)
3/ Action -- Run Code - function named ShowDbWindow()
The ShowDbWindow functon looks like this (in Acccess 97)
Function ShowDbWindow()
DoCmd.SelectObject acTable, , True
End Function
So if the current user is in the Admins group the ShowDbWindow function runs, otherwise nothing happens when the user hits F11.
The macro uses three columns
1/ Macro Name -- {F11} (The 'special key' to display the db window)
2/ Condition -- UserInGroup("Admins") (Function returns true or false)
3/ Action -- Run Code - function named ShowDbWindow()
The ShowDbWindow functon looks like this (in Acccess 97)
Function ShowDbWindow()
DoCmd.SelectObject acTable, , True
End Function
So if the current user is in the Admins group the ShowDbWindow function runs, otherwise nothing happens when the user hits F11.
BEWARE... beware of autokey macros... the easiest way for me to crack another person's db is by importing the macros that exist, especially the autokeys macro.
it's a real pain that access doesn't "lock down" the macros when creating an MDE file.
so, if you want to be really, really safe, autokey macros aren't going to cut it for you...
but i'm sure a macro has the ability to do what you want...
kindof a catch 22.
dovholuk
it's a real pain that access doesn't "lock down" the macros when creating an MDE file.
so, if you want to be really, really safe, autokey macros aren't going to cut it for you...
but i'm sure a macro has the ability to do what you want...
kindof a catch 22.
dovholuk
Very easy solution to implement and test. Shouldn't impact startup time either. I appreciate the other comments offered and may go that route in the future. I also understand the my database security could be breeched. Currently, all my users are fellow employees and they are very unlikely to try to do something bad to the data. I'm just looking to prevent accidental mistakes.
Thanks everyone,
>>> Bob <<<
Thanks everyone,
>>> Bob <<<
Of course if your Db is already _secured_ (as it appears to be, why else would you be checking if the current user is in the group "Admins") then you can remove all permissions from all your macros except "Open/Run".
Then your ordinary user will not be able to import/export the macros to anther database so they cannot modify it.
If the databse IS NOT secured, then yes, you can do what you like with the macros by importing them to another Db, messing with them and then exporting them back to the original MDE file.
Then your ordinary user will not be able to import/export the macros to anther database so they cannot modify it.
If the databse IS NOT secured, then yes, you can do what you like with the macros by importing them to another Db, messing with them and then exporting them back to the original MDE file.
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