Me.Access

We can create a function to check whether a specific table exist in MS Access Database. There are at least two functions we can create to evaluate the existence of a table in Access, one for external database and the other for current database. Let's name isTableExist function for checking the existence of a table in external database and isTableExistCurrentDbs function for checking the existence of a table in current database.

In a back-end database environment, we almost never create table or query in Access database that executed as the current application. Access database that executed as the current application, also known as front-end database, is almost never used to store a table or query. In most case, the table or query stored in the front-end database is temporary in nature, so that later will be deleted soon after no longer needed.

In some circumstances when opening a front-end database, we may use a record source of a form that bound to a back-end database. MS Access does provide linked table that can be bound to a record source of a form or report, either through a table as is or a query. The problem is, that linked table is displayed on Access Navigation pane. Though it may be hidden, using external database in the form of linked table is risky. Nevertheless, we do not want any table that comes from back-end database is displayed on Access Navigation pane, in order avoiding from user who may open the linked table directly from Access Navigation Pane.

This post describes how to create functions to open and close MS Access database. The functions involve two common methods provided by MS Access, they are OpenDatabase and Close. Opening a database, especially  used in connecting to tables and queries is the first process in accessing database. Meanwhile, closing a database is the last process in accessing database.

To specify the connection string to a database, we use getDbsConString function. There are, at least, two variables to be set to specify the connection string. They are strProvider and strPassword. The strProvider variable specifies database provider to be employed, for example: the provider for MS Access database is MS Access. If the connection string has a password, then the strPassword variable must also be set. The result of getDbsConString function is a string value.

To get database location, we use getDbsLocation function to specify Access database location that will be opened. It is using strResult variable that can be a string value or expressions. The function result is a string file path name. The complete getDbsLocation function is as follows: