Unbound Forms Template

Connect to Remote Data Sources with VBA Only
Minimize Security Risk from Linked Tables!

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          Only $99
          Members pay as low as $49.50

This template allows you to connect to remote data sources, including other Access backends or even online SQL Server databases, using only VBA. This means you won't need linked tables, which can be a security risk.

In my Security Flaw videos, I explain the issues with linked tables and how they can be problematic. I also demonstrate a simple technique for connecting forms to your backend database using only VBA, eliminating the need for linked tables.

That video only covers using single and continuous forms with a simple open argument like a WHERE condition or an ORDER BY clause. This template goes into much more detail. I show you how to open forms with subforms and populate combo boxes and list boxes. We learn how to open reports and pull down data to create temporary tables.

I've simplified everything with easy-to-use procedure calls. For example, with a form, all you have to do is declare one recordset object. Then, when the form loads, you use the MyLoadForm command, and when you unload the form, you use the MyUnloadForm command. And that's it. If you want to open a form with open arguments, you can specify them easily. You can give a WHERE condition, an ORDER BY clause, and much more.

I will show you how to use this template with both Microsoft Access backend files and SQL Server backends in the 20-minute explainer video that comes with the template.

Free Videos

Paid Videos & Links

P1. Security Flaw, Extended Cut - Paid
P2. Template Explainer Video - Paid
Unbound Forms Code - Simplified Code from the Security Flaw Extended Cut Video in the Code Vault - Paid

Full Template Database

Once you have purchased the template, you may come back to this page and download the full template. This will give you access to the ZIP file containing the Template ACCDB file. The full version will run on 32-bit or 64-bit Access 2007 or higher. Be sure to watch the Explainer Video (above).

Full Database Download (Version 1.0) - Paid

Purchase Template

Please be sure to read the Before You Purchase section below before buying this template.

Before You Purchase

A few important notes before you purchase this template:

I strongly recommend watching the free intro video and the free TechHelp Security Flaw videos before purchasing this template so you understand exactly what this template does.
Please note that this is designed to be a standalone template. If you purchase the database you will get the unlocked source code and you can modify it yourself however the coding in the database is quite complex and I will not support you if you're trying to make changes to it yourself.
Backup. Backup. Backup again! Always make a backup copy of your information before relying on this database. If you're not sure how to do that, please see my Backup video.
Remember, we do our best to help you here in the Forums on the website, but technical support is not guaranteed.
This application is indeed a 1.0 version. Bugs are always possible. If you find one, let me know. I'll do my best to fix it, but only if it occurs in the stock version of the database - not a copy you've modified.

Possible Future Upgrade Ideas

If you have ideas on things you'd like to see added to this database, please post a comment below. If a particular feature garners enough interest or if I consider it to be a particularly good idea, then I will definitely consider adding it. Some ideas already suggested.

License

For internal use only. This template does NOT come with a royalty-free license. You may only customize the template for your business needs and for use within your organization at one location ONLY. You may not resell or distribute any form of this template to others without express written permission. Contact me for additional information on obtaining a license to distribute if you plan on including this template in a product you are reselling. Additional licenses are required if you plan on using this template with more than ten (10) employees or in multiple locations within your organization.

Not a Finished Product

Please keep in mind that most of my template databases are not designed to be finished products that are ready to go in a working environment. My templates are meant as starting points for you to customize for yourself so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. This requires that you have a basic understanding of Microsoft Access development. To work on most of my databases you should have completed my Access Beginner series and the first couple levels of my Expert series at a minimum. Most of my databases require knowledge of SQL and VBA as well. Keep in mind that most of my templates are not like off-the-shelf software. They're starting points for developers to be able to modify and use as their own. It really is going to be in your benefit to watch all of the prerequisite videos so you understand the database and how it works moving forward. This is not like QuickBooks where you just install it and use it. My templates are mostly designed for people who already have an understanding of how Microsoft Access works.

Customize For Your Needs

If you would like to discuss customizing this template for your needs, and integrating it into your current setup, please see my consulting page for details. While I no longer accept custom jobs that are specific to a single user, I may include your features in a future version of this template if they have mass appeal. If you are looking for custom enhancements made to this template just for you, visit my Developer Network.

Technical Support

Please note that technical support is NOT guaranteed for any of my courses, seminars, or templates. If you require help with modifying this template, you may post a question in the Forums, however an answer to your question is not guaranteed. If this template comes with an accompanying Seminar, then you should purchase that Seminar to see how the database was constructed. If not, then you should have taken the suggested courses. Most of my templates are designed on a Developer level and you should have a thorough understanding of SQL and VBA before attempting to modify them. If you have a problem with one of my databases, I will only support the unmodified database exactly as it's downloaded from my site. If you have modified it in any way, it may not be something I can help you with. You can post in the Forums, and I may be able to help you, but if the issue doesn't exist in my unmodified database, it's not something I can support.

Questions?

Got sales or customer service questions about this template? Feel free to contact me. If you have technical "how do I" questions about this template, you discover a bug, or want to suggest a new feature, then please post your comments below.

Keywords

microsoft access, ms access, ms access tutorial, #msaccess, #microsoftaccess, #help, #howto, #tutorial, #learn, #lesson, #training, #database, #template, unbound forms, connect with vba code, security flaw, linked tables, password protection, Access backend, front-end database, connection vulnerability, locked database, split database, database security, network sharing, password on frontend, separate databases, ACCDE file, VBA to link tables, SQL Server

Comments for Unbound Forms Template

Age	Subject	From
16 months	Modify the template front end	Ismael Islas
16 months	Load Subform from Query Error	James Womack
17 months	Security Risk from Linked Tab	Juan C Rivera

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Transcript

Introducing the Access Unbound Forms Template brought to you by AccessLearningZone.com. This template will allow you to connect to remote data sources, including other Access backends or even online SQL Server databases, with VBA only. This means you will not need linked tables, which can be a security risk.

In my Security Flaw video, I explain what the security flaw is with linked tables and how it is a problem. I also show a simple technique that you can use for connecting simple forms to your back-end database using VBA only, getting rid of your linked tables.

However, that database only includes using single and continuous forms and a simple open argument like a where condition or an order by. This template goes into much more detail.

I show you how to open forms with sub-forms and populate combo boxes and list boxes. We learn how to open reports and pull down data to create temporary tables. I have simplified everything with easy-to-use procedure calls.

So, for example, with the form all you have to do is declare one recordset object. Then, when the form loads, you use my load form command. When you unload the form, it is my unload form, and that's it.

If you want to open a form that has open arguments, you can specify them right here. You can give a where condition, an order by clause, and lots more.

I will show you how to use this template with both Microsoft Access Backend Files and SQL Server Backends in the 20 minute explainer video that comes along with the template. So, look for it on my website. There is the link right there. I will put a link to it down below in the description as well.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them down below. Live long and prosper, my friends. I will see you next time.

Quiz

Q1. What is the main benefit of the Access Unbound Forms Template?
A. It allows connecting to remote data sources using VBA only, without linked tables
B. It increases the speed of Access queries
C. It encrypts the Access database
D. It automatically creates new tables

Q2. What potential risk is associated with using linked tables in Access?
A. Security risk
B. Data duplication
C. Inconsistent data formatting
D. Slow internet connection

Q3. What data sources can the Access Unbound Forms Template connect to?
A. Only locally stored Access tables
B. Only Excel spreadsheets
C. Remote Access backends and online SQL Server databases
D. Only text files

Q4. How does the template simplify loading data into forms?
A. By using easy-to-use procedure calls like load form and unload form
B. By using complex macros
C. By manually importing data every time
D. By linking to Microsoft Word documents

Q5. Which form features does the template support?
A. Only basic single forms
B. Only importing CSV data
C. Forms with sub-forms, combo boxes, and list boxes
D. Only report generation

Q6. When opening a form with the template, what can you specify as open arguments?
A. Only the form name
B. Only the database password
C. Where condition, order by clause, and more
D. Only the back-end database location

Q7. What is included with the template purchase mentioned in the video?
A. A 20 minute explainer video
B. A printed manual
C. Free technical support for a year
D. Access to a user forum only

Answers: 1-A; 2-A; 3-C; 4-A; 5-C; 6-C; 7-A

DISCLAIMER: Quiz questions are AI generated. If you find any that are wrong, don't make sense, or aren't related to the video topic at hand, then please post a comment and let me know. Thanks.

Summary

Today's video from Access Learning Zone is all about the new Access Unbound Forms Template. This resource is designed to let you connect to remote data sources like other Access backend files or even cloud-based SQL Server databases, all through VBA. With this method, there is no need to use linked tables, which can often introduce security concerns.

If you have seen my Security Flaw video, you know I go over the specific risks that come with linked tables. In that video, I also demonstrate a straightforward approach for connecting basic forms directly to your backend database using VBA. That method helps you eliminate linked tables, but it covers only single and continuous forms and relies on simple open arguments, such as a where condition or order by clause.

This new template is much more comprehensive. In it, I walk you through how to open forms that also include subforms and how to fill combo boxes and list boxes with external data. I cover opening reports, bringing in data for temporary tables, and streamlining the process with reusable procedure calls.

For example, to use this template with a form, you just need to declare a single recordset object. When the form loads, use the provided load form procedure, and when the form unloads, simply call the unload form procedure. That is all you need to do.

If you want to work with open arguments for your forms, you can easily specify things like the where condition, an order by clause, and more when opening the forms.

I will also guide you on how to use this template with both Microsoft Access backend files and SQL Server backends. The accompanying explainer video runs about 20 minutes and provides step-by-step instructions.

You can find the template and the tutorial on my website, and there is a link below this article. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them.

You can find a complete video tutorial with step-by-step instructions on everything discussed here on my website at the link below. Live long and prosper, my friends.

Topic List

Connecting Access forms to remote data sources with VBA only
Eliminating the need for linked tables for security
Using VBA to open forms with sub-forms
Populating combo boxes and list boxes from remote data
Opening reports and pulling data into temporary tables
Implementing easy procedure calls for form loading and unloading
Specifying open arguments like where and order by clauses
Using the template with Access backend files
Using the template with SQL Server backends