ACC: How to Use Command-Line Switches in Microsoft Access
ID: Q105128
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The information in this article applies to:
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Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 7.0, 97
SUMMARY
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.
When you run Microsoft Access from the Start menu or a shortcut, (or
Program Manager or File Manager in Microsoft Windows 3.x), you can use
command-line switches to modify the startup process. For example, you can
open a particular database, run a macro, or supply a password.
MORE INFORMATION
Microsoft Access recognizes the following command-line switches:
In version 1.x only:
/s Bypasses the Microsoft startup screen.
NOTE: The startup, or splash screen, in Microsoft Access can also be
suppressed using the Microsoft Access version 1.x Distribution Kit (ADK).
In version 2.0, the /s switch no longer applies. Instead, include the StartupScreen entry to display your own bitmap logo rather than the
default Microsoft Access logo. Although this is a setting for ADT
applications, this entry can also be used without the ADT. Include the
following statement in your MSACC20.INI file:
[Run-Time Options]
StartupScreen=C:\LOGO\MYBITMAP.BMP
In version 2.0 only:
/Ini <initialization file> Starts Microsoft Access using the options in
the specified initialization file instead of
the standard MSACC20.INI file. The
initialization file must have the same
entries as the standard MSACC20.INI file.
In Microsoft Access 1.x, 2.0, 7.0, and 97:
<database> Opens the specified database.
/Excl Opens the database for exclusive access.
/Ro Opens the database for read-only access.
/User <user name> Starts Access using the specified user name.
You'll be prompted for the path to Msaccess.exe.
/Pwd <password> Starts Access using the specified password.
You'll be prompted for the path to Msaccess.exe.
/X <macro> Starts Access and runs specified macro.
/Cmd Specifies what value to pass to the Command
function in an Access Basic procedure that is
called by a RunCode action in an AutoExec macro.
This option must be the last option on the command
line.
In Microsoft Access 2.0, 7.0, and 97:
/Compact <target database> Compacts the database specified before the
/Compact option and then closes Microsoft
Access. To compact to a different name,
specify a target database.
/Repair Repairs the specified database and then
closes Microsoft Access.
/Convert <target database> Converts a version 1.x database to a
version 2.0 database,
with a new name, and then closes Microsoft
Access. Specify the source database before
the /Convert option.
In Microsoft Access 7.0 and 97:
/Profile <user profile> This replaces the /ini option used in
previous versions to specify an
initialization file. The option starts
Microsoft Access using the options
in a specified user profile instead of
the standard Windows Registry settings.
/NoStartup This option starts Microsoft Access without
displaying the startup dialog box.
/Wrkgrp <system filename> You can start Microsoft Access with a
specific workgroup.
/Runtime Starts Microsoft Access in run-time mode.
NOTE: To use the /Runtime switch with Microsoft Access 97, you must install the Microsoft Office 97 Developer Edition Tools (ODE) or a
custom application created with the ODE on your computer.
/Convert <target database> Converts a database in an earlier version
(1.x or 2.0) to a Microsoft Access 95 or
97 database with a new name, and then
closes Microsoft Access. Specify the
source database before the /Convert
option.
For example, you could type the following command in the Run dialog box (available by choosing Run from the Program Manager File menu):
c:\access\msaccess.exe Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x and
2.0) /Excl /X Add Products
This sample syntax starts Microsoft Access, opens the Northwind (or NWIND
in versions 1.x and 2.0) sample database for exclusive use, and runs
the Add Products macro. Note that you must include the file name,
Msaccess.exe, as shown in the example.
In Microsoft Access 97:
/unregserver Forces Microsoft Access to unregister itself and then
exit.
/regserver Forces Microsoft Access to register itself.
Because Microsoft Access is a self registering program, you can use the
/unregserver and /regserver switches to remove or refresh the Access registry entries. This can be useful when you need to make sure all Access files are properly registered, but you can not use the "Setup /y" option of the Access setup program. For more information about using "Setup /y", see the following article in the Knowledge Base.
Q148424 ACC: Troubleshooting Invalid Page Faults in MS Access 95 and 97
Recommended Order of Command-Line Switches
The following is the order to follow when creating command-line switches for Access database shortcuts. All switches are optional.
Document conventions:
<> - Place holder for required text.
<<>> - Place holder for optional text.
{} - Supplies additional information about switch, but should not be copied into command-line.
/runtime
/NoStartup
/wrkgrp <system filename>
/User "<username>"
/Pwd "<password>"
/Profile <user profile> <database>
/Excl
/Ro
/Repair
/Compact <<new database>> {Do not use with repair switch}
/X <macro> {Not the recommended method, use "Autoexec" macro instead or startup options. Do not use with compact or repair.}
/Cmd <value> {Must always be last. Do not use with compact or repair.}
REFERENCES
For more information about command line switches, search the Help Index
for "command-line options," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office
Assistant.
Additional query words:
start up startup
Keywords : kbui UifOthr
Version : WINDOWS:1.0,1.1,2.0,7.0,97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto