Use Startup Dialog Options

Customizing the layout and functionality of your Microsoft Access database through startup dialog options can greatly improve user experience. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open Startup Options in Access
   • Open your Access database.
   • Go to File > Options (or in older versions, click Tools > Startup).
   • This opens the Access Options dialog box where you can customize startup behavior.
2. Key Startup Options
   1. Display Form
      • Set a specific form to open automatically when the database starts.
      • In the Current Database tab, look for the Display Form dropdown and choose the form you want.
      • Example: A main menu or dashboard form with navigation buttons for users.
   2. Application Title and Icon
      • Enter a custom Application Title in the Application Options section.
      • Add a custom Application Icon (a .ico file) that displays in the title bar and taskbar when the database is open.
   3. Hide the Navigation Pane
      • Uncheck Display Navigation Pane to prevent users from accessing the database objects directly.
      • You can create custom navigation forms instead.
   4. Use Compact and Repair
      • Enable Compact on Close to ensure the database is automatically optimized when users close it.
   5. Enable/Disable Built-In Toolbars
      • To simplify the interface for end-users, you can disable Access’s built-in menus and toolbars:
      • Uncheck Allow Full Menus to remove advanced tools.
      • Uncheck Allow Default Shortcut Menus to disable right-click options on forms and reports.
   6. Use Custom Ribbon
      • Use the Ribbon and Toolbar Options to assign custom ribbon XML to create a tailored user interface.
3. VBA and Macros for Advanced Customization
   • Use VBA code or macros to control startup behavior.
   • Example: Use an AutoExec macro to run specific commands when the database opens.
4. Set Up Security and Permissions
   • Ensure sensitive areas are restricted:
   • Use Access’s User-Level Security (for older versions) or implement login forms.
   • Disable bypass keys (Shift key) by setting the AllowBypassKey property to False in VBA
5. Test Your Setup: After configuring the options:
   1. Restart the database to confirm the settings.
   2. Test as a user to ensure the functionality and layout meet your requirements.

By leveraging these options, you can create a more professional and user-friendly experience tailored to your needs!

You can use the Startup dialog to make your database easier for others to use. This powerful feature allows you to customize the look of your database when users open it. By customizing how the database appears when it opens, you can prominently locate the tools and functionality users will need. Novice users will thank you when they do not have to hunt for the tools they need. The Startup dialog can be opened by choosing Startup from the Tools menu. The following diagram will illustrate what you can do through the Startup Dialog.

As you can see, there are a lot of options that Access gives you regarding your database application. How you use them can make a big difference in how professional your database is going to be to use.
To test your understanding of the Startup dialog and its purpose, check out the following simulation.

1. While in the consulting407.mdb, click the Tools menu.
   
2. Click Startup… located on the Tools menu.
3. The Startup dialog has now been opened. Type the words My Consulting Database into the Application Title field, Then click Submit.
4. The database now has a new title, as seen at the top of the Access window.

Analyze the following uploaded image and 1) print off the text and 2) describe any relevant features.

Because you are already in Layout view for the form, you can easily make one last change. Because this database contains customer names for a stationery store, you're going to change the form title to Customer List.
You can click the Format tab and then click Title in the Controls group. This will highlight the current title, as shown in the picture. All you need to do then is type the new title of the form. In this case, you type "Customer List." Remember to save after making this change.
There's more that you can do to customize a form. The Quick Reference Guide includes more information about customizing forms.
In the next lesson we will identify seven add-in utilities that increase the functionality of Access.