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If your database is used by novice or inexperienced users, you might not want them navi­gating the often confusing and (in the wrong hands) dangerous Access interface. Instead, you can create an easy-to-use front-end that gives these users a limited set of choices, such as opening a form or two or printing a report. This front-end is a special type of Access form called a switchboard that has no associated data source. Instead, the switchboard just displays a set of command buttons, each of which performs a specific action, such as open­ing a form.

Here are the steps to follow to create a switchboard:

1. Choose Database Tools, Switchboard Manager.
2. If Access tells you that it cannot find a valid switchboard and asks if you want to create one, click Yes. Access creates a basic switchboard form and displays the Switchboard Manager dialog box.
3. Click Edit to open the Edit Switchboard Page dialog box.
4. Click New to open the Edit Switchboard Item dialog box.
5. Use the Text box to type a name for the new switchboard command.
6. Use the Command list to select the command you want the item to run:
   • Go to Switchboard-Opens another switchboard. Use the Switchboard list to select the switchboard you want to open.
   • Open Form in Add Mode-Opens a form but displays only a new record. The user can’t edit any existing records. Use the Form list to select the form you want to use (see Figure 1).
   • Open Form in Edit Mode-Opens a form and makes all the records available for editing. Use the Form list to select the form you want to use.
   • Open Report-Opens the report you specify using the Report list.
   • Design Application-Displays the Switchboard Manager dialog box.
   • Exit Application-Shuts down Microsoft Access.
   • Run Macro-Runs the Access macro that you specify using the Macro list.
   • Run Code-Runs the VBA function procedure that you specify using the Function Name list.


Figure 1 Use the Edit Switchboard Item dialog box to create a new item for your switchboard.

7. Click OK to return to the Edit Switchboard Page dialog box.
8. Repeat Steps 4-7 to add up to eight items to the switchboard.
9. Click Close to return to the Switchboard Manager dialog box.
10. Click Close.

To run your switchboard, double-click the Switchboard item in the Navigation Pane. Figure 2 shows an example of a switchboard. You also probably want the switchboard form to load automatically when you start your database. See “Opening a Form Automatically When You Load a Database,” earlier in this chapter.

Figure 2 An example switchboard.

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