How to open MS Access in Runtime using Excel VBA?

Question

I'm struggling on how to open MS Access Runtime using VBA, from an Excel file.

You can open the full version of Access using CreateObject("Access.Application"), but that doesn't open Access in Runtime.

We only have Microsoft Access Runtime installed in some computers, because that's all we need to use the front-ends we've developed. So we need to open the accdb files using MS Access Runtime, but from Excel.

Any help is appreciated, thank you

Hypoglycemia

Can you clarify what you mean with "in runtime"? Is Access supposed to magically open with a specific database and run a specific macro without you telling it? – Paine

Yes - we only have Microsoft Access Runtime installed in some computers, because that's all we need to use the front-ends we've developed.So we need to open the accdb files using MS Access Runtime, but from Excel. – Hypoglycemia

I'd suggest you edit your question to include that somewhat crucial information. – Paine

I'll do that - thank you! – Hypoglycemia

Awesome - down+close votes retracted. And heck, have an upvote! – Paine

Do you need to programmatically interact with the objects? Or is it enough just to open the file? Perhaps using Shell commands? – Sheehan

Just open the files. I'll look into shell commands, thank you – Hypoglycemia

Windows Script Host Object Model WshShell.Exec, or Microsoft Shell Controls and Automation Shell.ShellExecute – Sheehan

@ZevSpitz awesome, thanks!! – Hypoglycemia

@ZevSpitz that would be an answer... – Paine

@Mat'sMug Not really, because it's only clear from the comments that the OP doesn't need programmatic access. – Sheehan

Answer 1

You can use the Shell to open a file, as if you typed that command into window's command prompt.

d = Shell("pathToFile\Database1.accdb /runtime", vbNormalFocus)

Another option you could use to open in the file in runtime (if someone opens it from the folder or through some other method without the /runtime switch) would be to change the file extension to .accdr. This will always force runtime.

Skirl

Thank you so much! I did something very similar and it's working now CreateObject("WScript.Shell").Run ("""pathToFile\Database1.accdb""") – Hypoglycemia