Table of Contents

SECTION 1

Access as a Development Tool 1

Lesson 1: What’s New with the User Interface .......................................1

Lesson 2: What’s New with Tables..........................................................2

Lesson 3: Enhancements to Datasheet View ..........................................2

Lesson 4: What’s New with Forms ..........................................................3

Lesson 5: What’s New with Reports .......................................................4

Lesson 6: The New and Improved Embedded Macros ..........................5

SECTION 2

VBA: A Foundational Review 6

Lesson 7: What Types of Modules Are Available?..................................6

Lesson 8: Working with Variables ...........................................................7

Lesson 9: Working with Constants..........................................................9

Lesson 10: Adding Comments to Your Code .......................................10

Lesson 11: Using the Line Continuation Character ..............................10

Lesson 12: Using VBA Control Structures.............................................10

Lesson 13: Passing Parameters and Returning Values..........................11

Lesson 14: Executing Procedures in the Code Window ......................12

Lesson 15: The DoCmd Object: Performing Macro Actions................13

Lesson 16: Working with Built-In Function ...........................................14

Lesson 17: Using Built-In Dialog Boxes ................................................14

Lesson 18: Editor Tips and Tricks..........................................................17

SECTION 3

Objects, Properties, Methods, and Events Explained 19

Lesson 19: Understanding Access’s Object Model ..............................20

Lesson 20: Understanding Objects, Properties, Events, and Methods ......20

Lesson 21: Referring to Objects ...........................................................21

Lesson 22: Declaring and Assigning Object Variables .........................22

Lesson 23: Differences Between Objects and Collections ...................24

Lesson 24: Passing Objects to Subroutines and Functions ..................25

Lesson 25: Determining the Type of Control........................................26

Lesson 26: Special Properties That Refer to Objects ...........................27

SECTION 4

Debugging: Your Key to Successful Development 28

Lesson 27: Avoiding Bugs.....................................................................28

Lesson 28: Harnessing the Power of the Immediate Window .............29

Lesson 29: Using Breakpoints to Troubleshoot ....................................31

Lesson 30: Stepping Through Code .....................................................32

Lesson 31: Setting the Next Statement to Execute .............................33

Lesson 32: Using the Call Stack Window..............................................33

Lesson 33: Working with the Locals Window .......................................33

Lesson 34: Working with the Watch Window.......................................34

SECTION 5

Error Handling: Preparing for the Inevitable 35

Lesson 35: Implementing Error Handling .............................................35

Lesson 36: Using On Error Statements.................................................37

Lesson 37: Using Resume Statements ..................................................38

Lesson 38: The Cascading Error Effect .................................................39

Lesson 39: Raising an Error ...................................................................40

Lesson 40: Using the Errors Collection.................................................41

Lesson 41: Creating a Generic Error Handler.......................................42

Lesson 42: Preventing Your Own Error Handling from

Being Invoked .......................................................................................44

SECTION 6

What Are ActiveX Data Objects and Data Access Objects and Why Are They Important? 45

Lesson 43: The Data Access Object Model..........................................45

Lesson 44: Getting to Know DBEngine ................................................45

Lesson 45: Using CurrentDB() ...............................................................46

Lesson 46: Working with DAO Recordset Types ..................................47

Lesson 47: DAO Recordset Properties and Methods...........................48

Lesson 48: Using DAO Code to Modify Table Data.............................48

Lesson 49: Using DAO Code to Modify Database Objects .................49

Lesson 50: Examining the ADO Object Model ....................................50

Lesson 51: Working with Connections..................................................50

Lesson 52: Working with ADO Recordset Types ..................................51

Lesson 53: ADO Recordset Properties and Methods...........................52

Lesson 54: Using ADO Code to Modify Table Data.............................53

Lesson 55: Using ADO Code to Modify Database Objects .................54

SECTION 7

Advanced Form Techniques 56

Lesson 56: Form Events and When to Use Them.................................56

Lesson 57: Order of Events for Forms ..................................................56

Lesson 58: Utilizing Section and Control Events ..................................57

Lesson 59: Taking Advantage of Built-In Form-Filtering Features .......58

Lesson 60: Switching a Form’s Record Source .....................................59

Lesson 61: Power Combo Box and List Box Techniques......................60

Lesson 62: Synchronizing a Form with Its Underlying Recordset.........61

SECTION 8

Advanced Report Techniques 62

Lesson 63: Report Events and When to Use Them ..............................62

Lesson 64: Order of Events for Reports ...............................................63

Lesson 65: Practical Applications of Report Techniques ......................63

SECTION 9

Advanced Query Techniques 65

Lesson 66: Understanding SQL.............................................................65

Lesson 67: Self-Joins .............................................................................67

Lesson 68: Union Queries .....................................................................67

Lesson 69: Pass-Through Queries.........................................................69

Lesson 70: Subqueries ..........................................................................70

Lesson 71: The Propagation of Nulls and Query Results .....................70

Lesson 72: Using User-Defined Functions with Queries.......................70

SECTION 10

Advanced VBA Techniques 71

Lesson 73: Working with Arrays............................................................71

Lesson 74: Advanced Function Techniques ..........................................73

Lesson 75: Working with Empty and Null.............................................75

Lesson 76: Creating and Working with Custom Collections ................77

SECTION 11

Exploiting the Power of Class Modules 79

Lesson 77: Creating and Using a Class Module ...................................79

Lesson 78: Creating Multiple Class Instances.......................................81

Lesson 79: More About Collections......................................................82

Lesson 80: Custom Collections in Use..................................................83

SECTION 12

Using External Data 85

Lesson 81: Using Code to Import External Data..................................85

Lesson 82: Using Code to Link to External Data..................................86

Lesson 83: Refreshing and Removing Links..........................................88

SECTION 13

Automation: Communicating with Other Applications 90

Lesson 84: Creating an Automation Object .........................................90

Lesson 85: Controlling Excel from Access............................................91

Lesson 86: Closing an Excel Automation Object .................................93

Lesson 87: Creating a Graph from Access............................................94

Lesson 88: Controlling Word from Access............................................95

Lesson 89: Controlling PowerPoint from Access..................................96

Lesson 90: Controlling Access from Other Applications......................97

SECTION 14

Exploiting the Power of the Windows API 99

Lesson 91: Declaring a Windows API Function ....................................99

Lesson 92: Getting Information About the Operating Environment....100

Lesson 93: Determining Drive Information.........................................101

SECTION 15

Developing Multiuser and Enterprise Applications 103

Lesson 94: Designing a Multiuser Application ...................................103

Lesson 95: Understanding Access’s Locking Mechanisms..................104

Lesson 96: Understanding the Client/Server Model ..........................105

Lesson 97: Deciding Whether to Use the Client/Server Model .........105

Lesson 98: Roles Access Plays in the Application Design Model ......107

Lesson 99: What Is a Linked Client/Server Application? ....................108

Lesson 100: Defining an ODBC Data Source .....................................108

Lesson 101: Upsizing an Existing Access Database ...........................109

Lesson 102: Working with Linked Tables ............................................110

Lesson 103: Working with SQL Server Views .....................................111

Lesson 104: Using Pass-Through Queries...........................................111

Lesson 105: Executing Stored Procedures .........................................113

Lesson 106: Building Client/Server—Friendly Forms ...........................115

Lesson 107: Building Client/Server—Friendly Reports.........................115

SECTION 16

Working with and Customizing Ribbons 116

Lesson 108: Customizing the Ribbon .................................................116

Lesson 109: Applying a Custom Ribbon When a Database Opens .....117

Lesson 110: Associating a Custom Ribbon with a Form or Report...........117

Lesson 111: Executing a Macro from a Ribbon..................................118

SECTION 17

Working with Microsoft SharePoint 119

Lesson 112: What Is SharePoint Server 2007 and

Why Integrate It with Your Access Applications? ...............................119

Lesson 113: Exporting Data to a SharePoint Site...............................120

Lesson 114: Publishing Data to a SharePoint Site..............................121

Lesson 115: Opening Access Forms and Reports from a SharePoint Site...122

Lesson 116: Linking to and Importing from SharePoint Lists .............123

Lesson 117: Taking SharePoint Lists Offline .......................................123

Lesson 118: Reestablishing Links When a SharePoint Site Has Been Moved.......124

SECTION 18

Database Security Made Easy 125

Lesson 119: What’s New in Access 2007 Security? ............................125

Lesson 120: Working with the Trust Center........................................126

Lesson 121: Using an Access 2007 Database in a Trusted Location........127

Lesson 122: Use a Database Password to Encrypt an Access 2007 Database ........................128

Lesson 123: Packaging, Signing, and Distributing an Access 2007 Database ............................129

About the Author

Alison Balter (Camarillo, CA) has been programming, teaching, and writing about Access for more than 13 years. A regular speaker at conferences worldwide, she is founder of InfoTechnology Partners, Inc. Her clients include Shell Oil, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Southern California Edison, Accenture, Prudential Insurance, and the International Cinematographer's Guild. Her clients' projects range from small end-user projects through enterprise-wide applications. Balter has authored 13 books on Microsoft Access for SAMS. She has also developed videos on previous versions of Access for KeyStone Learning Systems and Blast Through Learning.