ACC: Cannot Open a Database with a DoMenuItem Macro

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 7.0

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

When you try to open another database with a macro containing DoMenuItem and Sendkeys actions, the macro does not seem to run.

CAUSE

Microsoft Access cannot open another database while the DoMenuItem action is running in the current database. Microsoft Access does not support opening multiple databases.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, use either of the following methods. The first method runs a macro from the Database window. The second method runs a macro from a button on a form.

Method 1: Running a Macro from the Database Window

To run a macro from the Database window, follow these steps:

1. Create a database and create the following macro:

         Macro Name      Action
         ------------------------
         OpenMDB         SendKeys
   
         OpenMDB Actions
         ---------------------------------
         SendKeys
            Keystrokes: %fo<YOURFILE>.MDB~
            Wait: No
   
   

2. Close and save the macro as OpenMDB.

3. In the Database window, select the OpenMDB macro, and then click the Run button. Note that the macro closes the current database and opens the database you specify in the OpenMDB macro.

Method 2: Running a Macro from a Form

To run a macro from a form, follow these steps:

1. Create a database and create the following macro:

         Macro Name       Action
         -----------------------------
         OpenMDB2         SelectObject
                          SendKeys
   
         OpenMDB2 Actions
         ---------------------------------
         SelectObject
            Object Type: Macro
            Object Name: OpenMDB2
            In Database Window: Yes
         SendKeys
            Keystrokes: %fo<YOURFILE>.MDB~
            Wait: No
   
   

2. Create a blank form and save it as OpenMDBTest.

3. Add a command button to the form and set the following properties for the control:

         Name: Button1
         Caption: Open Database
   

4. Set the button's OnClick property to the OpenMDB2 macro.

   NOTE: The OnClick property is called the OnPush property in version 1.x.

5. Switch the OpenMDBTest form to Form view.

6. Click the command button to close the current database and open another database.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Create a new database.

2. Create the following macro:

         Macro Name   Action
         -----------------------
         OpenMe       SendKeys
                      DoMenuItem
   
         OpenMe Actions
         ---------------------------------------------------------
         SendKeys
            NORTHWIND.MDB~  (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x and 2.0)
         DoMenuItem
            Menubar: Database
            Menu Name: File
            Command: Open database
   
   

3. Run the macro. Note that it does not open the Northwind.mdb database.