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# Works: Can't Activate OLE Objects in Database Form View

Article ID: 124252

Article Last Modified on 11/15/2004

APPLIES TO

- Microsoft Works 3.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Works 3.0a
- Microsoft Works 3.0b
- Microsoft Works 4.5 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Works 4.5a
- Microsoft Works 4.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Works 4.0a

This article was previously published under Q124252

## SYMPTOMS

If an OLE object is inserted in a Works for Windows 3.0 database in form view and the Protect Form option is selected, the ability to edit, read, or play the inserted object is disabled. For example, you are not able to read a Note-It object or play a sound object in the form.
The only way to access the OLE object is to disable or clear Protect Form.

## RESOLUTION

This limitation has been corrected in Works 4.0, 4.5, and 4.5a for Windows 95. To allow OLE objects to be activated in a database form in Works 4.0, 4.5 or 4.5a, follow these steps:

1. On the database View menu, click Form Design.
2. Select the object.
3. On the Format menu, click Picture.
4. Click Enable Activation. Click OK.

## MORE INFORMATION

In Works 3.0, you cannot work around this behavior. The problem is that the Protect Form feature does not distinguish between a static object, such as a label or bitmap, and OLE objects, which can be activated.

### Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. Open or create a Works for Windows database and switch to form view.
2. From the Insert menu click Note-It.
3. Click OK to insert the Note-It object into the database form.
4. From the Format menu, click Protection, and click Protect Form.
5. Double-click the Note-It object. Notice that it cannot be activated.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.00a 3.00b 4.00 4.00a 4.50 4.50a w_works db disables activate

Keywords: kbprb KB124252