ACC97: Browser Link Opens Multiple Instances of Microsoft Access

• Microsoft Access 97

SYMPTOMS

When a Microsoft Access database uses a built-in Switchboard or a custom form that contains a class module as a Startup form, and you open the database through a link from a Web page, multiple instances of Microsoft Access may be opened.

CAUSE

This problem may occur if the following conditions are true:

• The Web page is being accessed from Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.x or 4.x.



• The Startup form has its HasModule property set to True or the form is calling a function referencing VBA332.DLL.



• The hyperlink is a file reference.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, change the link from a file reference to a URL as described in the following example.

Example

1. Close all instances of Microsoft Access.



2. Move or copy the sample database Northwind.mdb to a folder on the Web server or make the current folder a virtual directory.



3. Edit the Web page, changing the file reference to a URL. For example, change
   

   <a href="file:///C:/Samples/Northwind.mdb">Northwind</a>

   
   to:
   

   <a href="/Northwind.mdb">Northwind</a>

   
   



4. View the Web page with Microsoft Internet Explorer and click the Northwind hyperlink.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access 97.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.



2. On the Tools menu, click Startup.



3. In the Startup dialog box, click the Display Form arrow and select the Employees form.



4. Close all instances of Microsoft Access.



5. Edit a Web page, adding a file reference to the Northwind database. For example:
   

   <a href="file:///C:/Samples/Northwind.mdb">Northwind</a>

   
   -or-
   

   <a href="file://<webserver>/<virtual directory>/ _ Northwind.mdb">Northwind</a>

   
   



6. View the Web page with Microsoft Internet Explorer and click the Northwind hyperlink.
   
   Note that multiple instances of Microsoft Access may be opened.

REFERENCES

For more information about hyperlinks, search the Help Index for "hyperlinks," and click "About hyperlink addresses in hyperlink fields and controls," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.

For more information about creating virtual directories, refer to the documentation for the relevant Web Server software.

Additional query words: multiple IE link

Keywords          : kbdta FmrProp IntLink IntAsp 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbbug 

Last Reviewed: April 21, 1999