How to secure Access application on the network?

[childrenfirst]

Hi,

I have an Access application ready for implementation. The application will sit in a network folder for all users. However, I have three problems that need to be solved (although I don't know if any of them can be accomplished) before the application goes live:

1) How do I eliminate the alert message, "... read-only because someone else may be editing the application." when users launch Access after the 1st user on the network launched it?

2) How do I disable shift and alt keys so that users cannot get out of the forms?

3) How do I prevent users from viewing the forms in design views and make edits?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

 

[jrbarnett]

1. Ensure that the Default Open Mode under options is set to "Shared."
Also make sure the network permissions permit write access to the folder with the data and program in there (use network permissions to lock down the file system to only those users permitted to access it is a very good idea).

2. Use the "Allow Bypass Keys" property.

http://www.fabalou.com/Access/General/bypassstartup.asp

3. Either MDE the database and give them the MDE copy rather than the MDB, or use the Access Runtime version from Office Developer edition.
Both options will stop users editing form and report design and VBA code without the need to implement Access security.
Just be sure to keep a copy of the original code if you choose the MDE route in case amendments are required.

John

 

[childrenfirst]

Hi John,

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with me! I should be able to implement the first two solutions. I am not familiar with MDE and Access Runtime version. My application is developed in .adp (Access Project) instead of MDB. Could you explain a little bit more in details about the third solution?

Thank you again for your great help!

 

[childrenfirst]

Hi John,

I just found out that there is no "Default Open Mode" in Tool->Options->Advanced tab in Access Project. Is there any other way to set the default open mode to shared?

Thank you!

 

[jrbarnett]

Hi,

An MDE file is a compiled MDB, which removes the source code from forms, reports and modules. The equivalent for an ADP file is an ADE.
With an Access project, the data are stored in a SQL Server or MSDE database engine rather than an MDB/MDE file, so there is no "Open Exclusive" option because it would mean running the SQL database in single user mode. While this is possible, it is not at all desirable in a production application.

The Access Runtime version is a cut down version of Access. It is only available with the Developer version of Microsoft Office. It doesn't allow users access to form/report design, VBA code window or the database window.

John

 

[childrenfirst]

Thank you very much for your explanation! I tried to make an ADE file yesterday from the ADP file but I got a system message saying "unable to create an ADE file" without giving me any reason.

I locked the VBA codes and anyone who wants to edit the VBA code needs to enter password.

Thank you again!