Sending Hyperlink via E-mail that Opens Access to a Specific Record

[hoialmen]

Greetings Access Gurus!

It doesn't seem too unreasonable but can it be done???

I have an Access 2000 app that is used by the legal dept. to manage contract records for the company. The director of the dept has requested that I set up a "tickler" function that is triggered off of contract item due dates (i.e. renewal dates, expiration dates, etc.). What he would like to see is for the system to generate an e-mail (Outlook 2000) notification that goes out to the attorney that is responsible for any contract that has a due date that falls within certain date parameters. This part is already done, however, he would also like to see the e-mail contain a hyperlink (or possibly a shortcut?) that, when clicked, opens the Access app and takes the user directly to that specific record in the contracts form. Seems pretty straight forward but I have no clue how I would go about doing this or if it is even possible. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ad2]

Something liken the OnOpen event of the contracts form, have a go to record?

Example
The following example uses the GoToRecord method to make the seventh record in the form Employees current:

DoCmd.GoToRecord acDataForm, "Employees", acGoTo, 7

 

[oharab]

You could use the cmd command line argument, but you need to know the full path to the msaccess.exe file on the end user's PC.

You need to send a link that has the target set to:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\msaccess.exe" "L:\Database\Contracts.mdb" /cmd100574

where 100574 is the record ID you are wanting to pass.

You can the use the Command function to return what you passed, so on the onOpen event of your main form:

me.Recordsource="SELECT * from tblContract WHERE ContractID=" & Command

You will need to make the changes so it fits in with your needs, but the idea is there.

hth

Ben

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Ben O'Hara

http://www.RobotParade.co.uk

"Where are all the stupid people from...
...And how'd they get so dumb?"
NoFX-The Decline
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[hoialmen]

Thanks for the prompt feedback!

Oharab,

I think you have the right idea. Unfortunately I have already tried this approach and it appears I have yet another challenge to overcome. It seems that the security on our Exchange Server does not allow the passing of anything containing a command prompt. I can create a shortcut that does exactly what I need it to do but when I try to pass it via e-mail, our Exchange Server filters out the attachment.

I am now considering other options such converting the user interface over to ASP and placing it out on the intranet. I think this might make what I'm trying to do a little easier. However, any other thought will be appreciated.

Thanks again!


Nathan C. Hoialmen
President
Encephalon Business Solutions, LLC

http://www.encephalon.net

 

[oharab]

Many servers do not allow pifs to be sent, as they can be virii.

Another way would be to have the database generate the email, and save the Record ID of the specific record against the username of the person you are sending the mail to (you could use the password file on my website, use Access User Level Security or just pick up the network ID of the person) then when that person logs into the database, it will show them a list of records marked for their attention.

Converting to asp is an option, and one I have used in the past, but it's not a simple task and limits the functionality available to you.

Let me know if you need any more help.

Ben

----------------------------------------------
Ben O'Hara

http://www.RobotParade.co.uk

"Where are all the stupid people from...
...And how'd they get so dumb?"
NoFX-The Decline
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