ACC: Cannot Open a Database with a DoMenuItem Macro

ID: Q103187

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

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

When you try to open another database with a macro containing DoMenuItem (RunCommand in Access 97) 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.

The resolution for Microsoft Access 97 involves the OpenCurrentDatabase method. Do not confuse the OpenCurrentDatabase method with the DAO OpenDatabase method.

For more information about the OpenCurrentDatabase method and an example of its use, search the Help Index for "OpenCurrentDatabase method," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.

Method 1: Running a Macro from the Database Window

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

Create a database and create the following macro:


      Macro Name      Action
      ------------------------
      OpenMDB         SendKeys

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

Close and save the macro as OpenMDB.

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:

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

Create a blank form and save it as OpenMDBTest.

Add a command button to the form and set the following properties for the control:
```
      Name: Button1
      Caption: Open Database 
```

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

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

Switch the OpenMDBTest form to Form view.

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

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

Create a new database.

Create the following macro in versions 1.x, 2.0, 7.0:


      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

- or -

Create the following macro in Microsoft Access 97 (the DoMenuItem action has been replaced with the RunCommand action):


      Macro Name   Action
      -----------------------
      OpenMe       SendKeys
                   RunCommand

      OpenMe Actions
      ---------------------------------------------------------
      SendKeys
         NORTHWIND.MDB~  (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x and 2.0)
      RunCommand
         Command: OpenDatabase

Run the macro. Note that it does not open the Northwind.mdb database. Microsoft Access 97 will display the Action Failed dialog box.

Additional query words: opendb


Keywords          : kbusage McrArg 
Version           : 1.0 1.1 2.0 7.0
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: March 26, 1999