Main Menu -  The Open Button  
Applies to Access 97, 2000, 2002, 2003
           

Open will startup a new Microsoft Access session using the file name shown after Database: (see figure 1).  

Figure 1 - The Open button starts up a new Access session using the file and security details shown

The software uses the workgroup specified after Workgroup:  If you have not selected any workgroup file, it will open Access with your current workgroup file. The workgroup selected will not change your active workgroup the next time you open Access normally.  This will be a major benefit for people who have to switch Access workgroups a lot as Access makes it hard to workout what the current workgroup file is.  

The version of the Access software that will open will be determined by the workbench according to the file format.  This will be either Access 97 or Access 2000/2002/2003.   Note that it is not possible to differentiate between Access 2000/2002/2003 in this version of the software.  

When Access starts up, you will be prompted to enter the workgroup information if required. 

Note: This interface has been designed to make it much easier to switch between different Access formats and different workgroup files.

To learn how to setup your executables and switch workgroups, click here

Note: You can also open a database using the menu File ~ Open the current  database

When You First Use The Open Button

You will be faced with the following message box.  This is telling you that you need to locate the Access software prior to opening the file.  This then takes you to the Options form where you can add the Access software locations using a windows file browser.  Read more

Using The Exclusive Checkbox

When you select a database and no one is using it, a checkbox marked Exclusive will appear directly below the Open button. If you select this checkbox and press the Open button, the database will open in Exclusive mode and no one else will be allowed to open the database until you close it.  Your database will work faster as Access now does not have to worry about changing object locks whilst you are working on the database.

Note: You can also open a database exclusively using the menu File ~ Open Database ~ Exclusively.  The same applies for  in readonly mode or runtime mode from the File Menu

By Passing The Autoexec Macro And StartUp Options

You can bypass the autoexec macro (if you have one)  and the startup options (menu .. Tools .. Startup ) in your database by holding the Shift key down when you click the Open button.  If you do this, Access will startup in a background Window but will be easily accessible through the task manager (at the bottom of your screen). 

Using The Located In Hyperlink

If you want to open the folder (directory) that the database is located in, simply click on the folder path hyperlink next to the Located in text at the top of the form. 

Using Command Line Options

You can use command line switches by opening the Options form and selecting the check box at the bottom on the form. Then you can enter commands like /Decompile and /Repair and /Runtime. Read more about command line options.

Note: You can also open a database in readonly mode or runtime mode from the menu File ~ Open Database ~ Readonly or the Menu File ~ Open Database ~ Runtime

Opening The Database With Alternative Versions Of Access

The Access Workbench will open any Access 97 database using Access 97. It will also open any Access 2000, 2002 or 2003 database using the currently nominated Access 2000+ database. Sometimes you will want to vary this version of Access without changing the default Access executable that you use for all your other databases. In this case, use the menu(s).

File ~ Open Database with ~ Access XXXX

This menu item will open the database using the currently selected workgroup file (and workgroup account)

Advanced  Display

At the bottom of the Current Tab, you will find a hyperlink called Advanced . This will show you the Name of your computer, the current sandbox mode, if the database is encrypted and the last Access Open with shortcut script command.

Other Access Workbench Topics
Home Page | Starting Up | MRU Select | Stop New Users | Install | Internal Logging | FAQ Page  | Orders

 The Access Workbench Help File  - The Open Button