Version 2.0     Last Updated 6 Feb 2019

This example app was originally created in response to a user question at Access World Forums.
The question referred to ways of preventing tables and queries from being copied to another application

Although there were many issues with the ideas behind rhe original question, I came up with this ‘linked no tables’ DEMO application as a possible solution

This is a split database where the front end (FE) has no linked tables!
For the purposes of this DEMO app, the back end (BE) file needs to be saved in the same folder as the FE.

The backend database contains 1 ‘deep hidden’ table (Table1) though it would work equally well with a standard table.

Backend with no data table visible


The BE file is encrypted with password 'isladogs' if you want to check it out.

The FE file has not been encrypted in this DEMO app and all code can be viewed.
It has 2 forms and 1 report but, as stated above, no linked tables.

Form design with no record source



FE with no linked tables. Form showing data from BE table


None of those 3 objects have a permanent record source
Instead the record source for each object is set automatically to the BE table when the object is opened. It is cleared again when the object is closed

The result is that it behaves exactly like any standard split database
However, there are no linked objects and therefore no connection strings visible in MSysObjects.

If the FE was converted to an ACCDE file, it would NOT be possible for end users to deduce the BE password and gain access to the BE tables (at least not without some VERY serious hacking!)



This code sets the record source for each form:

Private Sub Form_Load()
    Dim rst As DAO.Recordset
    Me.RecordSource = "SELECT * FROM Table1 IN '' [MS Access;PWD=isladogs;DATABASE=" & CurrentProject.Path &
       "\BE.accdb];"

    Set rst = CurrentDb.OpenRecordset(Me.RecordSource, dbOpenDynaset, dbSeeChanges)

    With rst
        .MoveLast
        .MoveFirst
    End With

    'get record count
    Me.txtTotal = Me.RecordsetClone.RecordCount

    'combo row source
    Me.cboLastName.RowSource = "SELECT DISTINCT Table1.LastName FROM Table1 IN '' [MS  Access
        ;PWD=isladogs;DATABASE=" & CurrentProject.Path & "\BE.accdb] ORDER BY Table1.LastName;"

    Me.cmdPrint.SetFocus

End Sub

This code clears the record source after use:

Private Sub cmdQuit_Click()
    Me.RecordSource = ""
    Application.Quit
End Sub

Download

Click to download :  LinkedNoTables      Approx 0.5 MB (zipped)



NOTE:
A significantly enhanced version of this example app with additional security is also available.
For more details, see my Encrypted Split No Strings database



Feedback

Please use the contact form below to let me know whether you found this article interesting/useful or if you have any questions/comments.

Do let me know if you find any bugs in the application.

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Colin Riddington                       Mendip Data Systems                       Last Updated 6 Feb 2019

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