Importing into access from non-access program

[rick_from_springville]

Is it possible to enter values from a non-ms access program into ms access? Specifically, I would like to import times from a running clock (not in ms access) into an access application. This is for a race timing application. Is this possible?

[June7]

Probably not directly unless the clock program uses a database that Access can connect to.

Does this clock program have a feature to save data?

[rick_from_springville]

Probably not directly unless the clock program uses a database that Access can connect to.

Does this clock program have a feature to save data?

At this point I don't have a specific clock program in mind. There are several available in shareware or for inexpensive downloads. According to their documentation, you can capture times from the clock into excel, but not access. I'm just curious why times wouldn't be available in access.

[ItsMe]

They are probably describing available formats for exporting data. Once the data is exported you can import it into Access.

You might not find an off the shelf solution that you will be able to link to or connect to in order to query real time data.

[rick_from_springville]

They are probably describing available formats for exporting data. Once the data is exported you can import it into Access. You might not find an off the shelf solution that you will be able to link to or connect to in order to query real time data.

How about this approach? Is it possible to call up & run an external program from within access. For example, could I have a text box in a form, and have the access application call up and run the external clock program in that text box?

[ItsMe]

That is possible. Using VBA, you can launch other applications. However, there will most likely be limitations to what Access can have the application do. Simply opening an application is not a big deal. Opening a third party app and interacting with it is another story.

It may be easiest to build your own clock application

[rick_from_springville]

That is possible. Using VBA, you can launch other applications. However, there will most likely be limitations to what Access can have the application do. Simply opening an application is not a big deal. Opening a third party app and interacting with it is another story.

It may be easiest to build your own clock application

What would a vba line look like to run an .exe file?


One other thought, I know it's easy to get a date/time at any moment in access. Is it possible to get a date/time that records the time in hundredths of a second?

I do appreciate the responses!

[June7]

Bing: Access vba shell open application

Review http://www.utteraccess.com/wiki/inde...es_From_Access

Bing: Access time hundredths

http://www.error-exception.org/artic...dths+of+second

Bing: Format time hundredths

http://www.office-archive.com/4-exce...eb3ae70867.htm

[ItsMe]

What would a vba line look like to run an .exe file?

This is an example of code that opens a specific file. This looks a lot like what a shortcut on your desktop would if you looked at its properties. I believe it will open the app if you simply leave out the file path. Look at some shortcuts that you want to mimick.

Dim strAppName as String
stAppName = "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe \\ServerName\FolderName\FileName.pdf"
Call Shell(stAppName, 1)

System time does return in fractions of a second as long as you are not calling VBA script to a Macintosh.

You can try out this timer. I have not tested it. But it should return the current time, showing only the seconds. I just put it together to test the fraction theory. You should be able to call it with Call dblCount(7.32654)

Function Timer(dblCount As Double)
Dim dblTarget As Double
dblTarget = DateAdd("s", dblCount, Now)
While DateDiff("s", Now, dblTarget) > 0
Wend
MsgBox "Current time showing only seconds = " & dblTarget
End Function

[rick_from_springville]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. You've given me a lot to work with. I'll let you know how it goes!

This is an example of code that opens a specific file. This looks a lot like what a shortcut on your desktop would if you looked at its properties. I believe it will open the app if you simply leave out the file path. Look at some shortcuts that you want to mimick.

Dim strAppName as String
stAppName = "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe \\ServerName\FolderName\FileName.pdf"
Call Shell(stAppName, 1)

System time does return in fractions of a second as long as you are not calling VBA script to a Macintosh.

You can try out this timer. I have not tested it. But it should return the current time, showing only the seconds. I just put it together to test the fraction theory. You should be able to call it with Call dblCount(7.32654)

Function Timer(dblCount As Double)
Dim dblTarget As Double
dblTarget = DateAdd("s", dblCount, Now)
While DateDiff("s", Now, dblTarget) > 0
Wend
MsgBox "Current time showing only seconds = " & dblTarget
End Function