Jun 24

Microsoft Access Tip: Problems Converting a Database in Access 2007 from ACCDB to MDB

From Access 2007, you may want to convert an Access ACCDB database to a legacy MDB format. You may have done it several times before but all of a sudden, you get this message:

 

It turns out this occurs if the database was opened with Microsoft Access 2010.

Learn more about the issue and workaround on our web page, Error in Microsoft Access 2007 when saving an ACCDB Database as MDB Format.

May 26

Invitation to Preview Version of Total Access Statistics for Microsoft Access 2010

We are pleased to announce the availability of the preview version of Total Access Statistics for Microsoft Access 2010. Total Access Statistics is the most popular data analysis program for Microsoft Access. It extends the data analysis capabilities of Access queries to let you perform advanced numerical analysis on your data. Use any Access table, linked table, or query to perform calculations such as percentiles, regressions, frequency distributions, t-Tests, correlations, non-parametrics, rankings, moving averages, etc. It can also perform data normalization and let you select random records. As you would expect in a query, you can specify Group By fields so analysis is performed on each set of records with identical group fields.

Microsoft Access 2010Total Access Statistics runs within Access with all output in Access tables. It supports MDB, ACCDB, and ADP databases.

In addition to supporting Access 2010, we’ve added financial calculations for cash flows. It now calculates net present value (NPV), present value (PV), future value (FV), internal rate of return (IRR), and modified internal rates of return (MIRR).

This FREE preview is available with support for both the 32 and 64 bit versions of Access 2010. It includes both the interactive wizard that runs as an add-in, plus the programmatic VBA library so you can embed statistical analysis in your applications.

The preview version is fully functional through September 1, 2010. Download it here: http://fmsinc.com/MicrosoftAccess/dataanalysis/preview2010.asp.

May 11

Avoid Using DoEvents to Wait in Microsoft Access, VBA, and VB6

In our Microsoft Access, VBA, and VB6 programs, we often need to pause processing for a certain period of time, or until a specific time, and then continue processing. One common way to do this is to use the DoEvents function in a loop while waiting, however, this method consumes the CPU time and slows down the PC considerably. This is a significant problem when pausing for more than a couple of seconds, when users will notice the slow down. Use the Sleep command instead.

This is available in our Total Visual SourceBook!

May 11

Adding (and Subtracting) Weekdays in Microsoft Access, VBA, and VB6

Microsoft Access, VBA, and VB6 include a wide range of built-in Date functions, including DateAdd, which calculates the difference between two dates. A common need, however, is to add a number of weekdays to a date, without counting weekend dates.

Learn about this and all our royalty-free module code in Total Visual SourceBook where you can also perform business day math with a list of holidays to avoid.

May 11

Microsoft Access 2010’s New Feature to Web Enable Access Databases

Microsoft Access 2010

One of the most compelling features of Microsoft Access 2010 is its ability to post an Access database on a SharePoint 2010 site and have it run over the web. Some people hear this and think they'll be able to take their existing Access application, all its VBA code, etc., and make it web enabled. Unfortunately, that's not the case. What you can expose to the web is forms and reports that don't use VBA code. That's obviously a severe limitation, but on the plus side, what is possible is the deployment of databases that have automation through Access macros. The macros are automatically converted to JavaScript code. That's pretty cool.

An Access database that's hosted in this way can still be used locally on a desktop that has Access 2010 installed with all the rich functionality of Access, VBA, etc. The data is then hosted in SharePoint which exposes it to the web. So while it's not making it possible to publish an entire Access application with VBA to the web, at least a portion of it may be exposed with little to no additional effort. Letting people browse data, filter, and generate simple reports is all available and possible by non-programmers. It's a big step forward for the Access community.

Apr 14

Total Zip Code Database Now Has Latitude and Longitude

One of the nicest features to add to an address data entry screen is to automatically fill the city and state fields when a zip code is entered. In conjunction with the US Postal Service, FMS offers the Total Zip Code Database which gives you the entire list of valid zip codes and their corresponding city and state names. Both the primary and secondary city names are provided. Speed up data entry, eliminate typos, and clean up existing data with Total Zip Code Database. We also include the list of common city names the USPS doesn’t like with their corresponding corrections. The database is provided on an annual subscription basis with an initial list and 11 monthly updates.

In addition to the information provided by the USPS, the Total Zip Code Database also includes geospatial coordinates (latitude and longitude) for each zip code. We also provide a list of countries and states to simplify lookups, and module code and sample form to add this to your applications. The data is provided in a Microsoft Access MDB and ASCII files.

For more information, visit the Total Zip Code Database page, view the zip code flier, or try the free trial.

Total Zip Code Database

Mar 24

Paper: Microsoft Access Delete Query and SQL Syntax

Delete Query in Microsoft Access Could not delete from the specified tables.JPG

In our continuing coverage of query tips and techniques, we've create a paper focused on the DELETE query in Microsoft Access. It covers the basics of DELETE query SQL Syntax. It's a very powerful feature and a fundamental part of relational databases since you can remove multiple records at one time, and can specify which records to delete by linking to data in another table.

The paper also covers these more advanced topics:

  • Query fails: "Could not delete from the specified tables"
  • Use DISTINCTROW with Delete Queries for Non-Key Field Joins

Understanding and using Delete Queries improves the performance of your applications and makes them easier to maintain versus doing the same changes manually or in code.

Mar 24

Use Microsoft Access with Exchange/Outlook to manage email list removal

Microsoft Access Email BlasterTotal Access EmailerMicrosoft Access Email Microsoft Access

Many organizations use Microsoft Access to manage a list of email contacts. In conjunction with Total Access Emailer from FMS, it’s easy to send everyone a personalized email (such as a newsletter, order notification, or even a recipient’s individual invoice or sales receipt) in a convenient and automated way. Handling undeliverable emails and unsubscribe requests, however, can be tricky.

Read our new web page on Using Microsoft Access with Exchange/Outlook to Manage Email Lists and Automate Unsubscribe/Removal Requests.

Mar 22

Total Access Statistics User Manual for Microsoft Access

Total Access Statistics is the most advanced and popular data analysis program for Microsoft Access. Total Access Statistics makes it easy to calculate percentiles, regressions, confidence intervals, correlations, t-tests, probabilities, ANOVA, Chi-Square, etc. You can even normalize tables, rank records, and select random records, plus much more without any programming.

To maximize your use of Total Access Statistics for analyzing the data in your Microsoft Access databases, a professionally written and printed user manual is included. The user manual is 176 pages and fully indexed to make it easy to learn about Total Access Statistics, how to use it, definitions of its calculations, its programmatic interface, and tips for optimal use.

The Total Access Statistics user manual is now available for your review. Check it out to see how Total Access Statistics extends the power of Microsoft Access queries so you can analyze your data better than ever. To see it action with your own data, download the trial version.

Mar 03

Updated FMS Consulting Site for Microsoft Services

Microsoft Programming ServicesThe FMS Professional Solutions Group continues to create innovative software solutions that are making an impact on organizations and lives. Check out our updated consulting site to learn more about our solutions in action. See how we are making a difference from disaster relief in Haiti and Chile to the recent snowstorms in Washington DC. Here are some other highlighted solutions:

Let us bring this expertise to help you use data to make better decisions.