Microsoft Access - Modernizing The Interface

[@schymi841]

Huge props for getting it to work in Access. There are other technologies where those modern menus are much easier to make (like Power Apps etc.) but its nice to see that you can also do it via VBA 👍

[@DanielPineault]

It was even possible with the legacy Web Browser control, just much more limiting because it didn't support more advanced html, CSS, JS, but it did work. Just nice to be able to breathe a bit of a breath of fresh air into Access, give some new options... Hopefully a few of you will try it out.

[@jasonfleishman9884]

I'll be thinking of you during your reduced-contribution period. I appreciate your service to the Access community.

[@DanielPineault]

Thank you

[@InViewSmartIntegration]

"I don't control what the access dev team does" - now that's a real shame.... Maybe if you did i would consider using MS access for more projects. Excellent work as always...

[@DanielPineault]

Oh, trust me, if I had been in charge the focus would have been on improving the database, SQL editor, a web browser control that actually works. Not 15-20 years after people asked for it! Alas, we have what we have! A product that truly hasn't moved forward much in 10-15 years. Backwards compatibility, what Access was known for, is no more... A corporate mentality of just release it and we'll fix things later, maybe... The potential has been lying there for 15-20 years just rotting away. I don't know why there's so much incompetence, I don't see the Dev Team as not knowing what needs to be addressed (many a discussions have been had over the decades), so it must be management forcing them to work on things of no real value and ignore what would have moved the product forward. Well, that's my best guess. All I know is it is sad!

[@iljak2914]

Hello Daniel, thanks for interesting video. One question: this menu works, if you have internet connection? Without internet you menu don't work, correct? Thanks and regards

[@DanielPineault]

Currently, in it's current setup, but it is possible to have some menus work without internet. That said, since both Windows and Office now require internet to remain activated, this isn't really an issue. I'll try to provide a 100% localized menu early next week. It is possible, you just have to pick the menu to ensure it doesn't use certain JS/CSS attributes.

[@DanielPineault]

I've added a new download to the article ( www.devhut.net/modernizing-the-microsoft-access-interface/ ) that is 100% local, no internet required.

[@DavenneChua]

Nice video... easy to understand... Hoping to see more info about best practices so I can be a better dev... like multi user considerations, late binding etc...

[@DanielPineault]

Thank you for the ideas 💡 With regards to best practices, if recommend reviewing www.devhut.net/access-best-practices-and-troubleshooting-steps/

[@SKirill1251]

That was a really unexpected approach. Want to try it out, as this is my first acquaintance with the Web components. Is it correct that this solution mainly focuses on solving the interface navigation and certain action controls? I think it could also be used in a multi-user environment on a local network with shared frontend db but the localization issue (11:50) remains. That's a significant potential problem for a closed network scenario.

[@DanielPineault]

You can use it on a closed network, although I've never once had a client with this limitation, it's just a question of implementing a menu that doesn't make use of a library that can't be localized (so no use of font-awesome for instance). Three goal was to provide new interface/menu options. These can be integrated into form, something not possible with the ribbon. They (html approach) are easier to develop in my opinion and offer much more of a variety of modern looks.

[@ashiem1]

Great content as always Daniel, you enrich the Access community immensely. One solid mention than may need to be highlighted... After downloading the sample files, following the video and still failing (due to a number of errors) to have benefited from the functionality you highlighted, seems my Access v 2406 in MS Professional Plus 2021 still is using the prior browser control and not the new Edge Browser control. Unsure but the EB control may only be available in Office 365?

[@DanielPineault]

I elaborate on the required build in my article on modern web browser control www.devhut.net/access-new-modern-web-browser-control/ The perpetual licenses versions 2016,2019, 2021, ... Don't normally get new features, so yes, this is only available on MS365 and future versions of perpetual versions.

[@dunnobe]

I just woke up and was thinking: 1) is it possible to make some of your form code as a global sub or function? 2) Posibility of getting the css hex values, storing them in a subform class and passing them to all subforms? Much like your class subform 101 blog.

[@DanielPineault]

For sure.

[@hassanrozh6579]

It's awesome, I love it, thanks a lot for sharing.

[@DanielPineault]

My pleasure. I hope you test it out once I publish the demo.

[@bumpersmith]

I like what you are coming up here. The only problem I have is some of my customers do not have internet available because they are small non-profits. As a result this will not work for all.

[@DanielPineault]

if MS resolves the bug then there won't be a problem. You could do similarly with the legacy Web Browser control if you want.

[@DanielPineault]

Currently, in it's current setup, but it is possible to have some menus work without internet. You just have to use menu that don't use CSS that use src attributes to load other files. I've added a new download to the article ( www.devhut.net/modernizing-the-microsoft-access-interface/ ) that is 100% local, no internet required.

[@bumpersmith]

@@DanielPineault Thnank you Daniel, I have downloaded the Local example and will play with it as soon as I get a chance. Hopefully you will be able to return to your normal life soon.

[@HusnaSadat-fo4zt]

Can you please teach me how to prepare this type of menu, thank you very much

[@DanielPineault]

The link in the description provides you with my article and demo database. Everything you need is there.

[@HusnaSadat-fo4zt]

@@DanielPineault thanks

[@HomeEngineer-wm5fg]

I much prefer to follow the web UI interface. It is a skillset that translates well to WebDev. Honestly, if MS Access has a future this will be a thing, IMO.

[@DanielPineault]

The main issue is there hasn't been any updating of the Access controls, no new controls in a very long time. Access needs to keep up with other trends. With this round about solution, we get the best of both worlds and it opens new options. Now if only the Dev Team would fix a few of the Modern Web Browser bugs so I can truly make it offline and seamless!

[@Ziahasan222]

Cool... Ty sir. You are awsome. Very helpful.

[@DanielPineault]

Your most welcome. Glad you found the video useful.

[@fernandovilchez736]

excelent video and concepts Thanks

[@DanielPineault]

Thank you for watching and your feedback.

[@shadow9449]

Awesome stuff, incorporating modern HTML capabilities into Access! I'm glad you said "you don't need to be an HTML developer; you don't need to be a CSS guy" because my knowledge of these technologies is pretty basic and I don't know anything about jquery, so I'm hoping to be able to create menus as you describe here. What I'm wondering is, if the HTML and the underlying code is stored locally, what's to stop a user from editing the menus, especially if as you said, we're going to create menus that limit who can access the secure parts of the application?

[@DanielPineault]

For basic usage, like what I've shown in this video, nothing is stopping a malicious user from messing around with the html file. But, in my next video il demonstrate a technique in which they'd have no such ability. So stay tuned!

[@shadow9449]

@@DanielPineault Looking forward, and of course, a huge merci beaucoup!

[@dunnobe]

Very interesting. I'm not an advanced Access user, but this is an cool concept for non pro-dev people who run local databases. Looking forward to your next video. You should integrate a login form with access/security settings. @danielPineault will you use this technique yourself when you dev stuff?

[@DanielPineault]

Yes, I have used a version of this in the past. It used the legacy browser, but same principle.

[@NA245th]

Thank you!

[@DanielPineault]

My pleasure. Is this something you might try?

[@NA245th]

@@DanielPineault Yes, I am currently getting back into Access. It has been years, the same for web and html. It is getting fun and there is always something to learn and attempt to conquer. Thank you for continuing with this area. Hope all goes well with you over the remainder of the year. Take care.