Developer Downloads:

* Disclaimer: J Street Technology offers these downloads as is and does not assume any liability for bugs or problems with any of the code.  In addition, we do not provide technical support for these downloads.

Here is the Access table relinking VBA module that J Street has used in all of our Access applications for years. It is an essential enhancement after you have split your database into a front-end application and a back-end database. It handles multiple back-end Access databases, checks your linked tables on startup, prompts your user to locate the back-end database if needed, and even has an automatic mode that silently relinks to local databases (great for work tables and single user scenarios). NEW VERSION Feb 2011 — Automatically ignores all non-Access linked tables, including SharePoint lists. Access 2000/XP/2003/2007/2010.

  J Street SQL Tools

Have you ever wanted a simple way to modify part of a SQL Statement in your VBA code? With these J Street functions, you can easily replace the Where and Order By clauses of any SQL Statement. This enables you to reuse query definitions, manipulate rowsource properties, and use passthrough queries with more flexibility. Leave the main part of the query unchanged – just change the selection and sorting! We use these routines in every Access application we build. Just paste the VBA text into a new Module named basJStreetSQLTools. Text file, 3K.

  The Best of Both Worlds: Access-SQL Server Optimization

Access can be used to build great front-end applications for SQL Server databases, as long as you know how to optimize for performance.  This slide deck shows you the basics of using Access as a client-server application so that you can leverage the full power of SQL Server while retaining the techniques you have learned in Access.  PowerPoint, 379K.

  Data Dictionary Report Utility

Can't get the built-in Access database documentation tools to give you the simple report you want? Here's the answer. This utility documents all the tables and fields in your database, linked or local, including field descriptions! Access MDB, 44k.

  Converting Flat Files into a Relational Access Database

This is the PowerPoint slideshow that Armen Stein, President of J Street, presented to the KEGS Access SIG. It shows how to tackle the problem of converting old "flat" data (from Excel, text or wherever) to your relational Access tables. Includes a sample database showing the techniques mentioned in the slides. PowerPoint, Access MDB, 820K.

  Access Security Basics

Access User Level Security (ULS) has been deprecated for the ACCDB file format, but many people are still using ULS for their legacy Access MDB applications. Here is a PowerPoint slide deck that Armen Stein, President of J Street and Access MVP, has presented to Access user groups. It describes various approaches for securing an Access database with ULS, with some common mistakes that developers often make and tips to avoid them. PowerPoint file, 139k.

  Report Selection Techniques

Two different examples of a pop-up report selection criteria form. This technique is great for allowing the user to choose which records will appear on a report, without using parameter queries.  Other report techniques (like hiding and showing report sections) are shown also.  Access MDBs and PowerPoint presentation, 800k.

  Cool Tools

A sampler of labor-saving code and cool usability enhancements. Includes QuickDate, a "Quicken-style" method of using keys to increment date fields by day, week, month and year, and some handy name and address concatenation functions. Comes with a form demonstrating most of the tools - look in the code for more! Access MDB, 48k.

  User Interface Guidelines

Also known as "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep, But It Gets You Asked To Dance!" It's our approach to designing consistent, professional-looking forms. Word, 64K.

  A Better Record Finder

A quick and easy way of allowing users to find a record on a continuous form. Much easier for your users than the dreaded "binoculars"! And easy for you to code — just add a few lines of VBA to your form. Access MDB, 73K.

  Customizable Reports

This is a great way to provide custom reports to your users without spending a lot of development time. Allows selection and ordering of report sections, with the ability to save the layouts for others to use. Includes an article in Word and a sample database, 388k.

Here is the slide deck that Armen Stein presented at the TechEd 2008 Developers Conference in Florida in June 2008.  Armen presents some techniques to help you manage your database projects so that both you and your customers stay happy. See example documents for planning the project, tracking questions, and communicating status (including the dreaded budget increase). Also see how you can use Microsoft Visio to sketch your application design and obtain approval from your customer. Learn techniques for estimating projects, which can be one of the most difficult challenges. Most of the presentation applies both to consultants and internal developers.  PowerPoint, 3M.

  TechEd 2008 - Microsoft SQL Server Data Solutions Using Microsoft Office Access (DAT303)

Here are the slides and sample materials that Armen Stein and Mary Chipman presented at the TechEd 2008 Developers Conference in Florida in June 2008.  Many techniques and examples for using Microsoft Access as a client-server front-end to SQL Server are included.  PowerPoint, Access MDB, text code samples, 6.34M.