How do I unhide the menus, database window, etc?

Hit your {f11} key.

To re-enable the main menu, you can go into any code window, go into the Immediate window {Ctrl-G}, and type CommandBars("Menu Bar").Visible = True

I believe I unchecked the option for designated keys, like F11, as well.  It does nothing.  

How do I get to a code window?  The only options I have are limited File, Edit, Window, Insert, Records, and Help menus. Very limited options on these, as well.  Oh, and my switchboard with the reports.

This is great for keeping the user from tinkering, but has my hands pretty tied for the usual things I would have tried.  

Thanks for the input so far, and prompt reply!  I'll check in on this again right after lunch. Urgent, yes, but life-threatening no.  

Thanks,
A

One more update, after reading the second post I did get a Visual Basic window with Ctrl-G, copy pasted your code into immediate and when I tried to run (play button I assume), it saved it as a sub.  

Option Compare Database

Sub enable()

End Sub

With the following in the immediate window:
CommandBars("Menu Bar").Visible = True

Is there something I need to do differently to get this to work right?  Sorry about my complete lack of familiarity with Visual Basic.

Thanks again

A few options...

Can you do a right-click:Design view off of your switchboard?
Can you hold the Control button down while opening the application, to open it in Safe Mode?
Can you hold the Shift button down while opening the application, to prevent any startup form/AutoExec macro from executing?

Hit your enter key after copy/pasting it in, instead of hitting the Run button.

It is not letting me right-click anywhere on or off my switchboard within access.

The Control button does prompt me to open in Safe mode, and when I click yes it opens as such, but still with the toolbars / menu stuff disabled.

Holding down Shift while opening did not seem to help.  This isn't a macro I wrote that is removing the functionality - just to clarify - it is through the Tools Menu -> startup options that I managed to screw this up

Lastly, I went into visual basic again and hit enter rather than run. I think it worked because when I first pasted I had some other words too and is said "invalid character" and produced a compile error.  When I pasted more carefully, enter didn't produce any errors, but instead acted as a carraige return.  When I toggled back to Access, the condition was still the same.  

I am really surprised that there isn't an easier way to re-enable this stuff or get around it so I can.

Thanks,
Alex

Alex, download C2DbProperties at John Colby:

  http://www.colbyconsulting.com

It's what you are looking for!

/gustav

Jim,

I did that when I got back from lunch, since I had a copy from before I started modifying stuff earlier this week. Eventually I think I replaced everything I changed.  That worked fine.

If that is the only solution to this problem, I will be happy to accept you answer, because it works and is simple. However, if there is a way to "unlock" the menu-removed version I would still be interested to know it. Is it okay with you if I leave this open the rest of the afternoon in case someone else wants to chime in?

Also, the VB that we were working with earlier seemed promising, but I couldn't get it to fix the problem.

Thanks for bearing with me today!
Alex

Take all the time you want, as it's your question...

The best way to regain access to the menus would be holding the shift key while opening you're Database, I know you tried it after Jimhorn's suggestion, but maybe there was a misundestanding?

Open up Acces, the File/open, select your DB.
Hold the shift key, then click OK to open up your project
Keep the Shift key pressed until the project has loaded up.

This allow to enter your program in maintenance mode.

Hope this helps,

Steph

Yes by using the shift key you should be able to get the menu's back.

Steph, MehulS78, thanks for your input.

I don't really know what to tell you though. I followed your instructions to the letter, keeping the shift key down until I had to release it to enter the password (which is case sensitive).  Still no change.

One of the options in Startup that I unchecked was the "allow default shortcut keys," in addition to "allow full menus." I do not know if I unchecked the "Use Access Special keys" option as well, but may have.  

I am running MS Access 2002, sp1 for what that is worth.  

Although I will be happy to try anything that is worth trying, but I have tried to follow the suggestions as carefully as possible.

Meanwhile, I copied the updated reports to an old version of the database, but I should clarify on jimhorn's instructions for importing the reports.  I first had to delete the old ones, as the new ones were automatically renamed so as not to replace the existing queries, reports, and forms of the same name.

also, re: the cactus_data suggestion, I think it may work but am seeking a way to resolve this within the software as designed, if possible, so as to make things easier for others who work on this.  

Thanks, all, for your suggestions so far but as yet nothing (short of importing to a new database) has worked.

Alex

First:
> How do I re-enable the menus without having access to the menu myself?

Then:
> also, re: the cactus_data suggestion, I think it may work but am seeking a way to resolve this within the software as designed, if possible,
> so as to make things easier for others who work on this.  

I don't get it. This tool will solve your problem in two minutes.

/gustav

Gustav - Can you send me an email?  Unrelated to this question...

Jim: Yes, sure, but where do I find your address? I had a look in your profile - no luck.
Mine is "firstname at cactus.dk" ...

/gustav

Oops, found it, sorry.

/gustav

Maybe I should clarify my reservation to using the developer tool. I want other [authorized] users to be able to modify the database. Hiding the tools does a great job of keeping the unauthorized users from modifying things without applying some of the clumsy Access user security features of a worgroup information file. However, I am looking for a built in way to access the menus and design featres for the people who should be able to.

So, maybe a more clearly phrased question would be:

If holding down shift, or using F-11 doesn't work, does someone have any idea as to why? I was careful to follow the instructions to the letter.

Thanks,
Alex

Did you find out?

/gustav

No comment has been added to this question in more than 21 days, so it is now classified as abandoned..
I will leave the following recommendation for this question in the Cleanup topic area:
Split - {jimhorn - #13605243} { cactus_data - #cactus_data}

Any objections should be posted here in the next 4 days. After that time, the question will be closed.

Arthur_Wood
EE Cleanup Volunteer