Interested in views on Access 2007

[Access Guy]

I haven't really had any experience with 2007 so would like to hear from anyone that is developing in 2007.

My initial reaction is that another steep learning curve is required.

All opinions appreciated.

[KIM SWEE LEE]

I am starting to Access 2007

[Access Guy]

How far have you got with 2007 and have you found any problems?

[Jeff]

Too buggy just yet for me. Changes by Microsoft means that some apps I have developed will not simply convert over as they use User Level Security and my understanding is 2007 doesn't include it anymore. Also have custom toolbars that are useless in 2007, so don't want to go there just yet.

[Mark]

Just started using it and am having some difficulty finding where everything is. My current issue is with how to start an add-in I've installed.

[James Hartsfield]

I had a Data base that I built at work and used for pretty much everthing I did. My 2000 database was set with all macros. Did this because I had a database that was designed in 97 format that when converted the code did not work. This lead me to use macros on build as I whent basis. To my surprise one day when I arrived at work I found I had office 2007 on my PC with out any warning. I converted the data base over to 2007 and it took me about a weekand a half to work out the bugs. What I found is that any marcos that pointed to another macro would not work so I had to combine them into one. I do alot of importing of text to multiple tables and formats. I have tried to create macros to import the text but they never work. However when I go to the macros I built in 2000 and copy the guts into the new macro do a few name changes they work. I realize that Code is probably the way to go but it was not my strongest area and I did not have the time to explore it. 2007 is a huge learning curve. I have found that I can do alot of things easier than I could in 2000 but other things have gotten a little trickier. I am not a big fan of the new tool bar but I like some of the new functionalities and how you can do some of the excel filter/search properties in the access tables and quries. I have built DB's for my personal businesses in the past that were functional but did not feel user friendly. However I have created some new ones with 2007 and they have softer and more friendly feel to them. I also like the split forms as well but Ithey are not for everthing. The databases up till recently have all been for myself or personal job duties and security was not an issue but I am starting to look into security measures as I begin building databases for small business. I will post how that goes when I get some time to work with it.

[Day]

This should help some of you who are having problems with 2007. I have noticed that the DAO references are not correct in Access 2007(who ever at microsoft built the library with incorrect DAO coding references so your code will not work or you will get your dreaded Debug message) which can make previous versions not work correctly. If you are old school and still continue DAO you will also have trouble unless you go into your VBA Editing screen click on tools and add references for Microsoft DAO 3.6 library references. Notice that Microsoft Access Object library 12.0 will not be replaced as in previous versions but it will be easier to deal with Microsoft Access with the 3.6 Library present. Make sure the second patch has been installed things to make things better. Still If your clients only have 2007 and your applications were built in 2000-2003 errors are still bound to be problems. I prefer Access 2003 in terms of stability but if your client only has 2007 then you should build in 2007 or face multiple challenges. I hope this helps some of you deal with Access 2007. I believe that until Microsoft corrects the current library code previously written will have problems but thats just my humble opion. Building in 2007 doesn't fix all the problemssoget ready for multiple code rewrites on old software.

[Henry]

As someone who is also new to access I find tables are easily created if you are use to XL , forms are not too hard at all, but the manipulation of the information is currently confusing. I find creating a sketch on my white board of what i want to do makes it easier to get going.
Henry
Melbourne Australia

[Richard Rost]

I don't particularly think that the upgrade from Access 2003 to 2007 is worth it. The other office applications like Word and Excel have improved significantly, but mostly in the area of the new Ribbon menu interface and "pretty" features such as styles and graphics - which are unnecessary in Access. I'm also quite bitter at Microsoft for FORCING everyone to adapt to the new Ribbon without any way of moving back to the "classic" menus (yes, yes, I know there are 3rd party addons for that).

In fact, I would go so far as to say that the new menu interface is WORSE for Access, not only because it forces developers to learn a new way of doing things, but it seems to be that in trying to make the menus easier for novice users, they've actually made things HARDER for developers to find what we're looking for. Just my two cents. If I didn't have to upgrade so I could teach my students the new version, I wouldn't have. Access 2003 was the best version so far, in my opinion.

Richard Rost
AccessLearningZone.com

[Stephanie McAdie]

I have a tip for accessing your frequently used icons in Access 2007 but am not sure if it applies to this application as I do not have access to Access 2007 (pardon the pun). I used Excel 2007 at work and, after spening more time than I would like finding particular functions (mmm which ribbon was it on? ... no not that one ... no not that one...) I discovered the quick toolbar. This usually sits right up the top above and contains only a few very small icons. It is customisable and you can put quite a few icons on it. You can also move it to below the Ribbon and also minimize the Ribbon.

As I said there is no way for me to check if Access 2007 had this particular feature but Excel and Word do. Can someone please look and comment? Also - once I find out how - I plan to customise the right click menu.