How does this Excel link to password protected Access db work!?
This one stumped me when asked, though I don't touch MS Access much being mainly Lotus Notes guy so sorry if this is a stupid question!
There is currently an Access MDB which users access through a simple Excel sheet. The Excel sheet opens the MDB using \ hyperlink file://\\server\share\dir\
When the users click on the link they are NOT prompted for a password (which is 'correct')
When a user (or admin) opens the MDB specifically they ARE asked for a password
Now..... a certain machine, with multiple different users when clicking on the link in the Excel sheet is also being prompted for the password.
I don't understand the mechanism for how the other users (including myself who has never touched it before) can click on the link in the Excel sheet and have it open the MDB?!
Any pointers gratefully accepted.
thanks
Steve
Office XP + 2007 compatibility pack.
There is currently an Access MDB which users access through a simple Excel sheet. The Excel sheet opens the MDB using \ hyperlink file://\\server\share\dir\
When the users click on the link they are NOT prompted for a password (which is 'correct')
When a user (or admin) opens the MDB specifically they ARE asked for a password
Now..... a certain machine, with multiple different users when clicking on the link in the Excel sheet is also being prompted for the password.
I don't understand the mechanism for how the other users (including myself who has never touched it before) can click on the link in the Excel sheet and have it open the MDB?!
Any pointers gratefully accepted.
thanks
Steve
Office XP + 2007 compatibility pack.
ASKER
It is the same for me too so in this case if I open it from explorer with a double click (or right click open) or a shortcut then it prompts for a password. Same goes if holding down shift while opening.
The MDB has been password protected in that it shows the option to "unset the password" when I get into it through the front end Excel sheet.
In the Excel sheet there doesn't appear to be any relevant VBA code etc. just a file:\\ link to the MDB file!
I have copied the MDB and Excel sheet elsewhere to make sure nothing else in the dir is involved.
Had a few of us scratching our heads how it actually works for anyone!
Any ideas?
Steve
The MDB has been password protected in that it shows the option to "unset the password" when I get into it through the front end Excel sheet.
In the Excel sheet there doesn't appear to be any relevant VBA code etc. just a file:\\ link to the MDB file!
I have copied the MDB and Excel sheet elsewhere to make sure nothing else in the dir is involved.
Had a few of us scratching our heads how it actually works for anyone!
Any ideas?
Steve
ASKER
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ASKER
Sorry for delay, was travelling back from that site.
Yes the database password seems to be set. When opening from anything other than the Excel sheet attached above, then the password is prompted for. I and the guy who made it originally don't know the password but I guess since I can open it from the Excel link that I can unset the password and remove it or set a new one!
I tried that logic too (different file) and moved the 2 files to a different computer in a different path and the Excel stil launched the MDB minus password and the MDB in that same dir showed as open. Launching the MDB directly and up pops the password prompt again.
An "interesting" one eh! Thats what I thought when I was asked to take a look while on a customer's site after one of their guys had already looked at it for ages too! I went through the route of checking the files individually, isolating them, different PC's, different users, checking if anything with system.mdw etc. but in summary:
1. Most users, Most PC's - from Excel = no password
2. All users, Two PC's - from Excel = password
3. All users, all PC's - from explorer etc. = password
I will pull a copy of the MSB to my own home PC totally disconnected from their network with the Excel sheet and try it out here I think, and frankly remove the password tomorrow and go from there I suppose.
I was hoping you might say, oh yeah there is an "Authenticate" tab, just click on X and it will be entering the password for you or something, clearly not!!
Steve
Yes the database password seems to be set. When opening from anything other than the Excel sheet attached above, then the password is prompted for. I and the guy who made it originally don't know the password but I guess since I can open it from the Excel link that I can unset the password and remove it or set a new one!
I tried that logic too (different file) and moved the 2 files to a different computer in a different path and the Excel stil launched the MDB minus password and the MDB in that same dir showed as open. Launching the MDB directly and up pops the password prompt again.
An "interesting" one eh! Thats what I thought when I was asked to take a look while on a customer's site after one of their guys had already looked at it for ages too! I went through the route of checking the files individually, isolating them, different PC's, different users, checking if anything with system.mdw etc. but in summary:
1. Most users, Most PC's - from Excel = no password
2. All users, Two PC's - from Excel = password
3. All users, all PC's - from explorer etc. = password
I will pull a copy of the MSB to my own home PC totally disconnected from their network with the Excel sheet and try it out here I think, and frankly remove the password tomorrow and go from there I suppose.
I was hoping you might say, oh yeah there is an "Authenticate" tab, just click on X and it will be entering the password for you or something, clearly not!!
Steve
ASKER
Well... overnight they took the brute force method and the guy removed and re-installed office altogether (had previously re-registered and repaired).
As to why and how the link opens up without the password being prompted for I don't know. If I find out or you do please post, otherwise I'll dish the points out anyway for your effort!
thanks
Steve
As to why and how the link opens up without the password being prompted for I don't know. If I find out or you do please post, otherwise I'll dish the points out anyway for your effort!
thanks
Steve
ASKER
Thankyou for your help troubleshooting. As the user who it did not work for has now re-installed Office and solved the problem it is difficult to follow up.
As to why/how you can open an mdb that is password protected through this link in Excel, well if I find out will post back here!
As to why/how you can open an mdb that is password protected through this link in Excel, well if I find out will post back here!
How are they doing this (exactly please; are they double clicking the file, using a desktop shortcut, running a startup file or something else.)