Restricting a Database

[Arlyd]

Hi Guys,



Work have asked me to create a Feedback Form for members of staff to use to rate their manager's performance. Questions like "Was the Manager supportive?" will be on it.

I figured I'd use Access for staff to enter the form and then I will have an Excel Database that imports the data, collaborates it and creates fancy graphs and statistics for the managers to read only. I've done that bit fine however I had a few questions about Access:

I can't allow staff to see previous feedback entered and I can't let managers access the raw data as they could potentially change things to swing in their favor. Because of this, I've made a button on the form stating "Save Record" which then opens a new, empty record but:

1. How do I restrict the Access file so no one can view the database or any previous records?
2. Can I save the Form as a stand alone file which alters a database elsewhere so no one even knows where the data is really located to access it?
3. How can I prevent managers editing the results? Can it be password protected? If so, is there a way I can make the Excel Sheet not request the password when importing data as I still want managers to see the results?
4. Finally, the first question on the survey is "Who is your manager?" and I have a drop down list of the managers - If I type something in which isn't in the drop down list it says "This isn't on the list, would you like to add it?" how do I stop that?

Thank you so much for your help in advance.

Arlyd

[ItsMe]

1. How do I restrict the Access file so no one can view the database or any previous records?
2. Can I save the Form as a stand alone file which alters a database elsewhere so no one even knows where the data is really located to access it?
3. How can I prevent managers editing the results? Can it be password protected? If so, is there a way I can make the Excel Sheet not request the password when importing data as I still want managers to see the results?
4. Finally, the first question on the survey is "Who is your manager?" and I have a drop down list of the managers - If I type something in which isn't in the drop down list it says "This isn't on the list, would you like to add it?" how do I stop that?

You have a lot of work ahead of you in my opinion. I will attempt to touch briefly on your questions by answering how I would begin to approach it. Actually, I would probably build out some forms that did not store any user input at all and just enter my own opinion into the tables. I digress....

1. How do I restrict the Access file so no one can view the database or any previous records?
Not going to happen unless you own the company and all of the equipment. If you operate in a full windows environment you could use Active Directory to restrict User Permisions and allow needed permissions to the client machine. All references to the BE from the FE would need to use the full UNC path. No mapped drives on the client side using "D:". You would need to reinforce this by locking down your DB with Access security features and using runtime at the client.

2. Can I save the Form as a stand alone file which alters a database elsewhere so no one even knows where the data is really located to access it?
See answer to 1. If I understand your question, this is where you would employ runtime at the client and not have any data tables within the DB distributed to the clients.

3. How can I prevent managers editing the results? Can it be password protected? If so, is there a way I can make the Excel Sheet not request the password when importing data as I still want managers to see the results?
Linking to an Excel sheet to act as a secure table could help your cause. Have the spreadsheet reside with the Access BE on the secure server and link to the spreadsheet. May not be necessary though and you might want to at least START by having all data stored on tables within the BE.

Lockdown the form's properties so it can add only one record and this form will reside on the FE. Having the FE locked down and open with runtime will help prevent security breaches. As for password protecting; you should have users log in with their unique ID and password. Your BE will verify their identity and offer access to the appropriate records, while ensuring there are not any imposters.

4. Finally, the first question on the survey is "Who is your manager?" and I have a drop down list of the managers - If I type something in which isn't in the drop down list it says "This isn't on the list, would you like to add it?" how do I stop that?
Use the help files within Access' VBE and see where you get with that. You may have bitten off more than you can chew with steps 1-4 if you can not get this squared away. To be honest, I am not familiar with newer versions of access. I can offer advice to study the combo box properties. You may opt to go the route of the ListBox. No option for the user to type in their own criteria within a listbox that I am aware of.

[ssanfu]

Finally, the first question on the survey is "Who is your manager?" and I have a drop down list of the managers - If I type something in which isn't in the drop down list it says "This isn't on the list, would you like to add it?" how do I stop that?

For a combo box, set the "Limit to List" property to YES. (on the DATA tab in A2000)

[ItsMe]

(on the DATA tab in A2000)

Come on.... I am still trying to stop laughing from my other debacle.