Is there a way to password protect just the design of a database? I want to let anyone enter the data but not be able to change the design criteria.
Is there a way to password protect just the design of a database? I want to let anyone enter the data but not be able to change the design criteria.
With your database open, click on the Office Button in the upper left corner. Click on the Access options button at the bottom of the window. Click on the Current Database Tab.
On the Navigation Section, uncheck the Display Navigation Pane.
On the Ribbon and Toolbar Options, uncheck the Allow Full Menus, uncheck Allow Default Shortcut Menus and uncheck Built-in Toolbars.
On the Applications Options, in the box for Display Form, put the name of the form that you want to open when Access Launches as this will be the only way you can drive the bus.
Your users will see no ribbon menus or navigation panes. They will not be able to change any forms, queries or tables or reports unless you make it available using command buttons and other objects.
As a developer, if you need to access any of the "hidden" objects, you will need to open the database by clicking on the name of the file while holding down the Shift Key. You should not inform your users about this.
Not quite true, they can right click on the form or report and select design view. Plus the method outlined by alan, although a start, can easily be over ridden by any user who has a slightly more than basic knowledge of access - they can just go into file>options and change the settings back. Personally I would supply the front end as a .accde, which will protect forms, reports and code.Your users will see no ribbon menus or navigation panes. They will not be able to change any forms, queries or tables or reports unless you make it available using command buttons and other objects.
You can just password protect code in a vba module
The whole subject of protecting db's is a common subject, hardest to protect are tables and queries but there are plenty of threads on the subject on this and other forums. - see some links at the bottom of this thread for example
You need to be clear about what you want to protect and from whom to determine what level of protection you need to attain.