"Contains" Search in Multiple Fields
*New -- May, 10, 2020
A frequent request in Access forums is a search function that works like the "contains" searches common in web sites. Instead of an exact match, or a match beginning with the first letter of a word, a "contains" search returns all instances of a field where the search term occurs anywhere in the string.
For example, a "contains" search for "gus" would return names containing those three letters: First names like "Augustus" or "Gustav" as well as Last names like "Anthrogus" and so on.
I achieve this result by using TempVars to filter on multiple fields. This demo shows you how to implement the query and set the tempvars.
*This version supports both 32 bit and 64 bit Access.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Animated GIF for "Please Wait" Message
*New -- May, 12, 2020
Sometimes I learn something while trying to answer questions on an online Access forum. This was one such occasion. I really appreciate the poster's persistence in pushing me to a solution.
The original request was to display an animated GIF on a form in Access. My first thought was, unfortunately, "That's a bad idea." However, after an exchange of ideas with the original poster, I realized this could be a pretty good idea and one worth pursuing. The result is this demo.
An animated GIF can be displayed in a web browswer control. That means the image file must be stored in a location to which all copies of the Access Front End accdb have permissions. Or copies of it can be saved to the same folder where that Access FE accdb resides on each user's computer. Either way, the animated GIF can be displayed at the beginning of a long-running process and hidden again when that process completes.
I will leave it to you to try out other approaches to implementing this feature, such as dynamically loading different animated GIFs for different processes, or changing the size and location of the web browser control to maximize use of form spacing.
*This version supports both 32 bit and 64 bit Access.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Automativally Find and Link to CSV files
*New -- April 3, 2021
Search a specified Folder for .csv and .xls and .xlsx files. List them in your Access relational database application. Link to them with the click of a button.
*This version supports both 32 bit and 64 bit Access.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cancel Report on No Data without Error Message
*New --May 2, 2020
*Validated for 64 bit version of MS Access --May 4, 2020
When a report opens without data, you can use the On No Data event to cancel the report and issue custom messages or responses.
However that cancellation will send error 2501 back to the event which called the "Report Open" event. That means you must also handle that returned error from the calling procedure in the calling form as well.
This demo illustrates how to handle it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Calls & Meetings--Contact Manager Database
*Updated -- April 14 2020
Contact Manager is a completely revised and updated version of an application I built for a client several years ago. It tracks:
Companies with whom you have contacts.
Individual Contacts at those companies, with contact information.
Calls to your contacts.
Meetings with your contacts.
In this version, many outdated methods were replaced with more flexible methods, primarily based on TempVars and IIF() functions to eliminate the need for dynamic sql or hard-coded forms references. Also, some unnecessary restrictions on data entry were modified or removed.
You might use this basic version as a "starter" for your own purposes. Like all of my demos, it can be expanded. Feel free to make any changes needed to suit your situation. However, note that I can't be responsible for any use you make of the application.
Reports were improved and simplified.
**Compatible with 32 bit and 64 bit Access.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dish Antenna Installations Database Installations
*Updated -- August 9, 2012
Created to staunch the paperwork flood in an Dish Network Installer's business, Installations is a fully functional MS Access database in the accdb format. Try it out, "as is" on your own PC for free. It was custom-built, so it will not be of direct use to you without some modifications to fit your business rules. The instructions are included.
To try it out, create a folder for it on your hard-drive and save the compressed file (installations.zip) to that folder. Double-click on the "ZIP" file to open and extract the files into that folder. Double-click on "Installations.mdb" to launch the 2003 version of the application, or on "Installations.accdb" to launch the 2010 version.
*The ZIP file contains Access 2003 (mdb) and 2010-2016 versions (accdb). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Create a Dynamic Menu
*Updated -- March 18, 2021
A Proof of Concept I created in 2004 for an article in the old Smart Access magazine. The Splash form re-creates a set of command buttons on the main menu form each time the mdb or accdb is opened. Like the Ribbon that was introduced a few years later, the menu items are stored in a table from which the menu is re-built.
*Added accdb compatible with 32 bit Access and 64 bit Access. Updated some code.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Create a Membership Directory with images of each person
*New -- February, 2021
Including images in forms and reports in Access requires very little design and programming beyond adding image control(s) and binding the appropriate image to them. This can be done either by making the location of the image file the value in a field in a table, or by calling the images up dynamically. This demo illustrates the latter approach.
Although Access does support storing images internally, that causes file bloat. Therefore, storing images externally and linking to them is highly recommended. Therefore, this demo uses a subfolder to store images selected and used for one or more members.
Originally designed from a "rescue" project I completed for a friend, I recently dusted it off and cleaned it up for this demo.
Download and unZIP the sample files. Make sure the images subfolder is created during that process.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ GPC's Work Tracking Demo
*Updated -- October 29, 2016
Download the full, working accdb or mdb version of GPC's Work Tracking Demo, with the VBA that makes it work. I originally built this tool for myself, to track time and efforts on projects for my clients. Over time I expanded it to include some rudimentary Project Management features,such as defining the deliverables for a project, scheduling major milestones, and prioritizing tasks. It's a little more than a timesheet and a little less than a project management tool. You may either use Work Tracking as-is or modify it to suit your needs.The current backend DB for my working version in on SQL Azure, but this one still works well as a starter.
NOTE: The "accdb" version is tested and works in Access 2007 through Access 2016, both 32 bit and 64 bit version.
I recent added code to track and record all changes to data in this version.
It creates an audit of data changes by user who made the change and the date and time on which the change was made.
Please report any bugs in this newest version, so I can fix them.
The change history function is NOT included in the mdb version.
Like all of my samples and demos, this one is offered "As Is" with no guarantees of fitness for any particular purpose.
Use it or modify at your own risk and with your own effort.
This ZIP file contains both mdb (tested in A2003) and accdb (tested in A2007 through A2016 and A2016 64 bit) versions. Only the accdb version contains the Change History Function. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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