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waverobberFlag for United States of America

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ms access autoexec

Howdy,
I have a MS Access database. The Office Manager, where the DB is hosted, wants the ability to hide/unide a control on a subform (frmCreditCards). Normally, not a difficult task! However, because the DB is split, I have adopted a script that, when an end user clicks the DB shortcut icon on their respective workstation, the user interface is copied to a local folder on that workstation and the DB opens. This allows me to easily make interface changes and upload the new interface to the server. All the user needs to do is close/open the DB and the changes are there, without interrupting DB activity. This seemed easier than using one of the available split database interface tools that constantly checks and updates the interface...

Herein lies the problem. I have a command button on the "Admin" form (frmAdmin) that, when pressed, toggles a control on a subform (frmCreditCards) of the main form (frmMembers). Here's the code:

Private Sub btnLockDeclined_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_btnLockDeclined_Click

   'toggle the control
    If Forms!frmMembers!frmCreditCards.Form.cbDeclined.Visible = False Then
        Forms!frmMembers!frmCreditCards.Form.cbDeclined.Visible = True
    Else
        Forms!frmMembers!frmCreditCards.Form.cbDeclined.Visible = False
    End If
   
Exit_btnLockDeclined_Click:
    Exit Sub

Err_btnLockDeclined_Click:
    MsgBox "The Main Member's form must be opened to perform this action..."
    Resume Exit_btnLockDeclined_Click
End Sub

This works fine, but because the interface is local on each workstation, the changes only show on the Manager's interface! I have experimented with the AutoExec macro, trying to set the state of the control (cbDeclined) on startup, but this was not successful. The macro cant find the control...

I was thinking of writing the Manager's selection (cbDeclined.visible = true/false) to a text file. Then, when the DB opens, it opens and reads the file, sets the control accordingly, then copies that interface to the end user's workstation...This way would be cool, because the DB control would remain in the last set state...

How exactly to do this? Could spend hours experimenting, but don't have hours! Any suggestions, with code examples are appreciated! Also, can I hide the control without having the Main Member's form open?
Avatar of Neil Russell
Neil Russell
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Create a config Table in your back end, have a record that stores the "State" of that button. When your app opens, it reads the data from table and sets app state.
Avatar of waverobber

ASKER

Sounds pretty good...I'll give it a go and get back at ya! Thanks Neilsr...
Pleasure. If you need any further advice on it, feel free to ask.
Howdy Neil...
I tried every conceivable combination trying to read a single record from the new table (tblConfig), to fill a test variable...Every time, I get the Err_Description.

Private Sub btnLockDeclined_Click()
On Error GoTo Err_btnLockDeclined_Click

    Dim dbs As DAO.Database
    Dim rsTable As DAO.Recordset

    Set dbs = CurrentDb
    Set rsTable = dbs.OpenRecordset("tblConfig", dbOpenTable)
    Dim myVar As Boolean
    myVar = rsTable![DeclinedState]         'exception is thrown here...tried all combinations of syntax
   
    set rstTable = nothing

Exit_btnLockDeclined_Click:
    Exit Sub

Err_btnLockDeclined_Click:
    MsgBox "The Main Member's form must be opened to perform this action..."
    Resume Exit_btnLockDeclined_Click
End Sub
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Neil Russell
Neil Russell
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Okay thanks Neil...That works. My table def was slightly "skewed!" Last question: Is there a way to set the control (cbDeclined) in the subform (frmCreditCards) without having the form open? I'd like the Manager to be able to set the visible = true/false property in either situation...I'm using:

    If Forms!frmMembers!frmCreditCards.Form.cbDeclined.Visible = False Then
        Forms!frmMembers!frmCreditCards.Form.cbDeclined.Visible = True
    Else
        Forms!frmMembers!frmCreditCards.Form.cbDeclined.Visible = False
    End If

which works only if parent form (frmMembers) and subform are opened...
I forgot the KISS rule...Keep it simple stupid! Thanks dude. Now I'm thinking I can use the tblConfig for many user defined defaults!
Yeah, its a very simple thing to do. You now store your defaults out the way in the backend.

All the manager needs to be able to set is the value stored in that config table.  Then you adjust your form to read that value when it loads and set the visibility according to the value.

Glad to have been of help.
Roger that...Thanks