Disable Shift-Key ByPass

Saturday, October 19, 2002 09:31:56

Preface: if you hold down the SHIFT key when loading up a database, any startup options you have are bypassed. If you have a database geared towards an end-user, you may wish to prevent this from happening--say, to prevent them from going to your source data tables.

The steps to bypass this "back door":

First off, always do this to a copy of the database; that way, you (the designer) always have a way in

Create a new module, with the following code

Sub SetBypassProperty()
Const DB_Boolean As Long = 1
    ChangeProperty "AllowBypassKey", DB_Boolean, False
' To re-enable shift bypass change the above line to True, hold down CTRL-G and in the ensuing window type
' Call SetBypassProperty
End Sub

Function ChangeProperty(strPropName As String, varPropType As Variant, varPropValue As Variant) As Integer
    Dim dbs As Object, prp As Variant
    Const conPropNotFoundError = 3270

    Set dbs = CurrentDb
    On Error GoTo Change_Err
    dbs.Properties(strPropName) = varPropValue
    ChangeProperty = True

Change_Bye:
    Exit Function

Change_Err:
    If Err = conPropNotFoundError Then    ' Property not found.
        Set prp = dbs.CreateProperty(strPropName, _
            varPropType, varPropValue)
        dbs.Properties.Append prp
        Resume Next
    Else
        ' Unknown error.
        ChangeProperty = False
        Resume Change_Bye
    End If
End Function

Save the module with a meaningful name like mod_Disable_Shift_Key (do not name it "AllowByPassKey")

Compile/save the module

Open the debug window by typing CTRL-G

In the ensuing window that opens, type Call SetBypassProperty

Close and save the module

Next time you start this database up, you will notice that holding down the shift key no longer bypasses any startup options.

How to Go Back to Allowing ByPass

It's always smart to keep a backup copy of the database that does not have the shift key disenabled. Nonetheless, if you are able to manipulate your way to the database window and can edit the module, then you can undo the bypass as follows:

Open the module in design view

Change the line ChangeProperty "AllowBypassKey", DB_Boolean, False to ChangeProperty "AllowBypassKey", DB_Boolean, True.

Compile the module

Open the debug window (CTRL-G)

Type the following line in the ensuing window: Call SetBypassProperty

Close & save the module