Open Access file without access window

Question

I want to have my completed forms open so the user only see that form and not the Access window (nav pane, ribbon and all). I have the form selected to open on load (File>Options>Current Database>Display Forms: CompanyF) but the Access window still loads behind it. 

I've tried several different ways found through searching online, but cant get exactly what I need. I added to the CompanyF open event:

Private Sub Form_Open(Cancel As Integer)

    DoCmd.ShowToolbar "Ribbon", acToolbarNo

End Subc

This just hides the Ribbon...

I've unchecked Display Navigation Pane, but that just hides that... 

Basically, it opens like this: 

and i want it to open like this, but still be able to have a way for me(and only me) to access the Windowpane to make system edits to tables: 

Answer 1

Hi. There is an API approach for hiding the Access shell, but it's not perfect (actually, no approach would be). The easiest one to make your app seem like a standalone application is to use the Tabbed Document Window Option but don't display the tabs, then in the open event of your form, hide the Ribbon like you did, and then rename the file to ACCDR.

Answer 2

ok i unchecked display tabs and added that code back to the form open event. Not sure what you mean by rename file to ACCDR... i didnt have that file type option when resaving.... also, how can I, as the developer get that ribbon to reshow when i need it?....and it still opens like this: 

Answer 3

Make sure your form is not set as a Popup. Leave it as a regular form. Also, I meant you could rename the file "extension" from ACCDB to ACCDR. To get everything back, just keep using ACCDB for development and deploy ACCDR to the users.

Answer 4

so i removed the popup and it opens in that window. but now theres all that dead space.... why doesnt it open the size determined by the form opened? why does it HAVE to be in that window instead of a popup?

Also, the only was i can figure out how to get back into the ribbon to edit is to right click to design mode, remove the open event procedure, save, close and reopen then recheck navigation in current database settings, save close and reopen and then i can edit it again... 

And lastly, i did rename the ACCDB to ACCDR... but as you can see in the tp bar it just added .accdb after the file name.

I could have sworn there was an easier way to hide the access window and then you could just shift+click the file to open the developer stuff.

Answer 5

Hi. Like I was trying to say earlier, doing this sort of thing takes a little bit of work, so I personally don't even do it. Check out this demo, to see if you can make it work.

Edit: Also, you might want to review this old discussion.