ok the basics are in the title.

i need to convert my MS access 2002 database into a standalone .exe file...

is there anyway of doing this without reprogramming in VB

w.o.j

- Studying A2 Level ICT -

You can create a .mde file. this is a compiled version of your access database and can be distributed to users. It strips the code and will not allow any changes to any forms, reports, macros that have been created prior to compiling. Make sure that you keep a back-up copy of your database because once compiled you will not be able to crack it open again.

When you do this, your database has to be split, in other words your tables have to be in one database and your other objects (forms, reports, macros, queries) will be on another database with links to your tables. The database that gets compiled to .mde will be the one with your forms, reports, etc.

One other thing to keep in mind is, you will have to create a new default toolbar so that you can hide all of the database object from the user. Again, make sure that you keep a copy of your database. A lot of people make the mistake of creating a new default toolbar, hiding the database and they are not able to get back in their database.

search microsoft's site and read a litle on mde files.



Sal

There is not, however, any way to make an Access file into an EXE file

http://www.mvps.org/access/general/gen0001.htm

What you can do, however, is shell out some cash for Office Developer Edition, so you can distribute the database with a Run-time version of Access, this way your users don't have to have Access on their machine.

Since ODE is about twice the price of regular Office, you only need 3 or more users to justify the cost

Steven

I am a loud man with a very large hat. This means I am in charge

thanks. Its seems a bit stupid you can't make it standalone! I'll have to get my school to look into that ODE package.

However is there not a way of using Vb to create the exe?

thanks again. :)

- Studying A2 Level ICT -

Stupid? Yes, stupid like a fox. You see, by forcing people to do it this way, Microsoft is making a bundle by forcing people to use the developer's edition. Otherwise, peope would bypass it and make EXEs all they want. It's not a matter of they can't program Access to make EXEs... it's that financially speaking, why would they want to?

Greg Serrano
Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division

Another Microshaft Winblows Creature (feature). Also, ODE is not the best package and deployment tool out there. With ODE it canbe a pain do do updgades to new versions of your application and many times when Access is actually installed on the computer, strange things start to happen (DLL H***).



Sal

ODE is sometimes available on eBay. That's where I got mine.

Clive Astley

From my experience with MDE files, you do not have to split the database. I created an MDE file of my Music Inventory database a while back and I didn't have any major conversion problems

Ben
Madison Area Technical College student
-------------------------
I am one of those people that you call "Microsoft Access Freaks". I'm addicted to Access

It is best to split the database. "Access will crash". When the database is split and you have a backup copy of your forms, it is easier to re-start. It is best to keep data separate from front end.

Something I do is, I compact and repair my .mde on close. This can not be done when the database is not split and when the front end does not reside on the user's pc.





Sal

Ok, my original MDB file was lost. I have the MDE file however.

This company claims to have a product that allows MDE files to be edited:

http://www.download3000.com/download_8318.html

Q: I downloaded the demo, and it DOES SOMETHING. What, however is unknown cos all the tables have been removed and the word "Demo" inserted. Does anyone have intimate knowledge that if I send these guys 55 bucks, it will simply not vanish into the air, and will this program actually allow me access to the MDE file?

Thanx,