MS Access Form

In my own databases, including my demo files made available online, rather than hiding the navigation pane I normally minimize it by putting the following code in the Open event procedure of the database's opening form:

    ' minimize navigation pane

    DoCmd.SelectObject acForm, Me.Name, True

    DoCmd.Minimize

That way it does not intrude on the screen, but is easily maximized by me or users of my demos if I or they need to access any of the objects in the database.  If I'm distributing a file to an end user, however, I would normally do as Hans has described to hide the navigation pane.  Additionally I would create an AutoKeys macro in which the {F11} key is set to perform no action.  This prevents the user opening the hidden navigation pane with the F11 key.

It depends on your goal. Do you want it permanently hidden or only while that one form is open?...

One solution could be:

Private Sub Form_Open(Cancel As Integer)
DoCmd.Maximize
DoCmd.NavigateTo "acNavigationCategoryObjectType"
DoCmd.RunCommand acCmdWindowHide
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Close()
DoCmd.SelectObject acTable, , True
End Sub

Open the database.

Select File > Options.

Select 'Current Database' in the navigation pane on the left.

Select the form that you want to display when the database is opened in the 'Display Form' drop-down.

Further down, clear the check box 'Display Navigation Pane'.

Click OK.