Access Development Tip

I just bought my-self a new PC and a 19in wide-screen monitor. While the actual screen area is 94% of my old standard 19in LCD, the Office VBA window for all versions after Office 97, is now more user-friendly, with the sidebar object browser sitting nicely at the side of the screen, with no loss of characters in the code panel.

In Access 2007, the new Database Window sidebar comes into its own, and also provides a natural border where you can adjust the actual width of a form as you work on it, while the shorter screen enforces a more disciplined form design.

Automated Access Front-End Database Management

Access MVP, Tony Toews, has developed a free tool for helping to manage and publish front-end Access databases. Download Auto FE Updater. Tony also explains why you should front-end.

Access 2007 Runtime: Product Recall

Perhaps it may be wiser to be a tortoise rather than a hare for downloads like this...

From the What's New In Access 2007 Blog:

Wednesday, June 27, 2007 10:57 AM Access Runtime is on Hold. It turns out that there was a recall class issue with one of the Access Runtime components. After we released the Access Runtime yesterday it was discovered that patches on Microsoft Update would not automatically detect and patch this component. We unfortunately had to pull down the Access Runtime download until we can ensure that all components are supportable.

We are sorry for the inconvenience, and we are aiming to have it back up in a couple of weeks. If you happen to be one of the few to download the Access Runtime, please wait for the new, supportable version before deploying to your customers.

Office 2000 Ribbon Customizer

From the What's New in Access 2007 Blog:

For those of you who have been struggling a little with Ribbon customization in Access 2007 and miss the old world of CommandBars where you could design the command experience directly through the UI, Patrick Schmid has a cool add-in that allows you to make graphical design changes to your Ribbons from right within Office. It works with all Office apps that have the Ribbon.

His tool is free to try, and he's also currently got a beta program going. You can pick up the trial here: http://pschmid.net/office2007/ribboncustomizer/download.php, and join the Beta here: http://pschmid.net/office2007/ribboncustomizer/betaprogram.php.

Access 2007 Developer Extensions and Runtime are LIVE and FREE!

Access 2007 Download: Access Developer Extensions

Access 2007 Download: Access Runtime PS: This download pulled by MS on 27 June 2007 - see Access Extra Post 27 June 2007

Free eLearning Software Training from Microsoft

You need an MS Live ID to access this content:

• Changing the Appearance of Documents Using Microsoft® Office Word 2003
• What's New in Microsoft® Office Professional Enterprise Edition 2003
• What's New: Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional to Windows XP Professional
• Introduction to the New Microsoft® Office Fluent™ User Interface
• Getting Started with Windows Vista
• Getting Started with Microsoft Office Word 2007
• Getting Started with Microsoft® Office Excel® 2007
• Getting Started with Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
• Getting Started with Microsoft® Office Outlook® 2007
• Creating a New Database Using Microsoft® Office Access 2003 Finding and Organizing E-Mail Messages
• Using Microsoft® Office Outlook® 2003
• Getting Started with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
• Making Presentations Look Consistent Using Microsoft® Office PowerPoint® 2003
• Managing Business Contacts and Payroll Data with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
• Managing Cash Flow with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
• Managing Customer and Vendor Data with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
• Performing Calculations on Data Using Microsoft® Office Excel 2003
• Reporting and Administering with Microsoft® Small Business Accounting
• Working with Files and Folders Using Microsoft Windows® XP Professional Service Pack 2

Introduction to Access 2007: We ALL Need it

Access 2007: Get Up to Speed

As the Office 2007 GUI is radically different from previuos versions, even advanced uswers and developer will benefit from this free intoduction.

This course includes:

• Three self-paced lessons and three practice sessions for hands-on experience. Practices require Access 2007.
• A short test at the end of each lesson; tests are not scored.
• A Quick Reference Card you can take away from the course.

After completing this on-line course you will be able to:

• Download a database from the new Getting Started page.
• Create database objects by using the new Ribbon.
• Save and share your data in appropriate formats.

Latest SQL Server Hotfixes from Microsoft

FIX: An access violation may occur in SQL Server 2000 Analysis Services when you try to use a 2007 Office system program to open an offline local cube

FIX: High CPU utilisation by SQL Server 2005 may occur when you use NUMA architecture on a computer that has an x64-based version of SQL Server 2005 installed

Restoring a SQL Server Database to a New Server

Restore a SQL Server database to a new server If you have to move databases to a new server, you have two options for carrying out this task: SQL Server Management Studio (GUI) or T-SQL (Command line). This download from TechRepublic.com shows you both methods.

Download Office 2007 Sample:
Using the Business Data Catalog and Smart Tags with the 2007 Office System

2007 Office Sample: Using the Business Data Catalog and Smart Tags with the 2007 Office System This code sample accompanies the MSDN article, Using the Business Data Catalog and Smart Tags with the 2007 Office System, available from the Related Resources section of this download page.

Goodbye to Office 2003
Microsoft has announced that after June 30, 2007, OEM Office 2003 will no longer be available from Microsoft. Some authorized OEM distributors may have some remaining inventory left for a short time after June 30th; however,Microsoft will no longer be shipping OEM Office 2003 to them. More

Ten New Office 2007 Interface Elements: All About that Button Thing...

The radical new Office 2007 interface includes a number of new elements. To make it easier to talk about all these features as you help users get up to speed Jody Golbert TechRepublic.com blogger has a look at 10 major Office 2007 interface elements and their official names.

Iterate Through Databases and Tables in SQL Server

Iterating through tables and databases in SQL Server This tip from TechRepublic.com presents two very handy stored procedures that live in the master database but are not mentioned in SQL Server Books Online.

Solution Accelerator for Office 2007 Business Desktop Deployment

Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment Download planning, building, and technical guidance, templates, and scripts to facilitate deployment of Windows Vista and Office 2007

Version: 1.1
Published by Microsoft on: June 7, 2007
Download Size: 27.7 MB - 55.4 MB

The Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) is best-practice guidance for desktop deployment, targeted at companies that want to reduce deployment time, effort, and cost by increasing the level of automation. BDD allows administrators to deploy desktops with Zero Touch and Lite Touch interaction at the target PCs, and also helps organizations move to a managed environment with standardized desktop images.

BDD 2007 is offered in two versions to support Solution Accelerator component installation on x64 or x86 hosts. You select the version that corresponds with your host hardware type: both versions support x86 and x64 client operating systems.

Hotfix Rollup for Office 2007

Hotfix Rollup for the 2007 Microsoft Office System (KB935520) Microsoft has released an update for the spelling checker in the 2007 Microsoft Office programs. This release is an update to the English-language dictionary.

Create Custom Off-Line MSDN Content with PackageThis!

Take Parts of the MSDN Library Offline with PackageThis!

Created by the MSDN development team, PackageThis! allows you to choose documentation sets from the MSDN Library to save as HXS or CHM format files. You simply select nodes in the MSDN Library tree view to package as your own local mini-library, or to build into your own library. Multiple languages are supported. Cool!

Latest SQL Server Fixes

FIX: Changes in the publisher database are not replicated to the subscribers in a transactional replication if the publisher database runs exposed in a database mirroring session in SQL Server 2005.

FIX: An access violation may occur when you try to log in to an instance of SQL Server 2000.

Get the Latest SQL Server 2005 Documentation

SQL Server 2005 Books Online (May 2007) Download an updated version of the documentation and tutorials for Microsoft SQL Server 2005.

Product Focus: SmartForm ADP

When you work with Access Data Projects (ADPs), the native Access form wizard - even in Access 2007 - is very basic:

With my SmartFormADP Form Wizard, you can easily build a smart elegant auto-filter form based on any SQL Server table or view in a matter of seconds using only mouse-clicks:

SmarfFormADP for ADPs/ACCDPs comes bundled with SmartForm+ for MDBs/ACCDBs and is available for immediate download for only US$29.95.

New Office 2007 Downloads

2007 Office System: Microsoft SDK for Open XML Formats Technology Preview This download provides strongly typed part classes for use with Open XML documents.

Excel 2007 Add-in: Synchronizing Tables with SharePoint Lists This add-in works with Excel 2007 to allow you to synchronize data in a table with a list on a SharePoint site.

VBScript Quick Reference

Download a quick reference guide to commonly-used VBScript commands.