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Evil Access Stuff
By Richard Rost   Richard Rost on LinkedIn Email Richard Rost  

I'm trying to come up with a list of all of the evil stuff in Access that I have to continuously tell people NOT to do. Help me out here guys. You should never use:

These things are frowned upon:

  • SendKeys - try not to use this if at all possible. There's almost always a better way.
  • Split Forms - problems with VB, limited formatting, subform issues
  • Plurals in your object names. Try to be consistent even if it doesn't sound right. CustomerT not CustomersT.
  • Not commenting your code!
  • Not naming all of your objects like command buttons (I'm guilty of this)
  • Not backing up your database nightly!
  • Not backing up offsite!
  • Not backing up before a major code revision (don't lose a whole day's work)
  • Third-party add-ons and references. Use internal Access objects if possible, or at least objects that come with Office.
  • ActiveX Objects - unreliable
  • Navigation Forms - use a Main Menu form, or my subform technique in ABCD Part 2
  • Tab Controls. I just don't like them. They're a pain to use.
  • From @NoLongerSet - Overuse of DoCmd.SetWarnings False and On Error Resume Next - my reply: Yeah... I pretty much only use SetWarnings around a RunSQL command (and even then I try to use db.Execute if possible). Resume Next is lazy error handling, but sometimes I like it if I don't feel like doing something the LONG way or if I'm only worried about a single line (or very short) procedure.
  • Cascade Updates are dumb. Cascade Deletes are dangerous! Handle it yourself in VBA/SQL code.
  • Layout Mode and groupings of controls. Sure, use them, arrange your controls how you like, but then right-click and Remove Layout when you're done with it. Don't leave it on.
  • Data Macros. I'm sorry. I'll never get used to having macros inside tables. It breaks every rule that I've ever been taught about relational databases. I don't like macros to begin with. Macros in Forms are a pain. Macros in Tables are an abomination. Stick to Forms and Event Programming (VBA). Exception: Data Macros can be helpful for tracking when fields were changed. See Log Changes to Tables.

Be careful of this stuff:

  • Adding VBA references to outside libraries. Version numbers and DLLs can change in future Office editions.

What can you think of? I know I've mentioned a lot of things in my 20+ years of teaching Access classes. But you know me... old brain can't rememeber it all...

 

Comments for Evil Access Stuff
 
Age Subject From
3 monthsSensitive DataAlex Lewis
3 yearsNeed to fix a badly done DBJohn Jira
4 yearsWhy Switchboards EvilThomas Gonder
4 yearsOne Reason to Store AttachmentKevin Yip
4 yearsSpaces in Object NamesKevin Yip
4 yearsSubdatasheet Potential EvilScott Axton
4 yearsReferential IntegrityJeffrey Rainey
5 yearsNavigation FormScott Axton
5 yearsOffice Version RefsAlex Hedley
5 yearsSwitchboardAlex Hedley
5 yearsActiveX ControlsEdwards Christopher
5 yearsBackup OftenScott Axton
5 yearsAutonumbersAdam Schwanz

 

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Copyright 2026 by Computer Learning Zone, Amicron, and Richard Rost. All Rights Reserved. Current Time: 6/10/2026 1:06:04 AM. PLT: 0s
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