Access Lesson 12 Automating Database Processes

1. Access Lesson 12Automating Database Processes Microsoft Office 2010 Advanced Cable / Morrison

2. Objectives • Create a splash screen. • Create an AutoExec macro. • Test an AutoExec macro. • Create a navigation form. 2 2

3. Objectives (continued) • Create a second navigation form. • Design the main navigation form. • Change startup options. • Bypass startup options.

4. Vocabulary • AutoExec macro • hierarchical • navigation form • splash screen • startup options 4 4

5. Introduction • A splash screen appears when the database is opened. • An AutoExec macro is used to display the splash screen. • Navigation forms can be used to design and implement user-friendly menus. • The Ribbon tabs and the Navigation pane can be restricted to secure the database.

6. Creating a Splash Screen • A splash screen is a form that appears when you open a database that welcomes the user to the database. • A splash screen can contain: • Information such as a company’s name • The same themes that are used in the database • The company logo • A label with text, such as Welcome to the Database

7. Creating a Splash Screen (continued) • Splash screen with label

8. Creating an AutoExec Macro • An AutoExec macro allows you to have one or more actions automatically execute when the database is opened. • An AutoExec macro can be used to display a splash screen when the database is opened. • You can only have one AutoExec macro per database file.

9. Creating an AutoExec Macro (continued) • AutoExec macro

10. Testing an AutoExec Macro • After you create an AutoExec macro, you should test it to be certain that the macro performs the actions that you want. • Close the database and then reopen it to run the AutoExec macro.

11. Creating a Navigation Form • A navigation form is a special kind of form that has both a main form control and subform controls automatically built in. • The use of navigation forms in a database is similar to navigating a Web site. • Navigation forms in a database typically appear in a hierarchical format.

12. Creating a Navigation Form (continued) • Hierarchical refers to the different levels of automation. • A main menu form has tabs that let you select the lower-level forms. • A navigation form can display tabs for forms, reports, and queries and acts as a main menu for the database.

13. Creating a Navigation Form (continued) • Lower-level navigation form

14. Creating a Navigation Form (continued) • Upper-level navigation form with lower-level forms added

15. Creating a Navigation Form (continued) • Forms Menu with Monthly Sales tab selected

16. Creating a Second Navigation Form • You will need to create more than one navigation form. • At least two lower-level forms will need to be placed on an upper-level navigation form so that you have more than one selection on the upper-level form. • Second navigation form will be at the same lower level as the previous navigation form you created.

17. Creating a Second Navigation Form (continued) • Navigation form for reports

18. Designing the Main Navigation Form • The main navigation form is the upper-level form. • Serves as the main menu • Lets the user select the lower-level navigation forms in the main form • It is created last using the other navigation forms that already exist.

19. Designing the Main Navigation Form (continued) • Main Menu form in Layout view

20. Changing Startup Options • Startup options are options that Access performs when the database is opened. • You can specify which startup options are in place. • Adding startup options can secure the database by: • Hiding selected tabs on the Ribbon • Restricting access to menu commands

21. Changing Startup Options (continued) • Revised Current Database options

22. Bypassing Startup Options • After you set startup options, they are in effect until the next time someone opens the database. • To bypass the Current Database options that you set, press and hold the Shift key when you open the database.

23. Summary In this lesson, you learned: • You can create a splash screen that welcomes users to the database. • An AutoExec macro runs when the database opens and before any other macros are run.

24. Summary (continued) • After you create an AutoExec macro, you should test the macro to see if it works correctly. • Navigation forms have both form and subform features automatically built in. • The main navigation form acts like a main menu.

25. Summary (continued) • The startup options available with Access can be changed to provide additional database security. • You can bypass startup options when opening a database.