PRB: Run Macro Command Not Available on Startup Menu (2.0)

Article ID: Q127057
Creation Date: 09-MAR-1995
Revision Date: 05-FEB-1996

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit version 2.0

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

When you run a macro or an Access Basic routine that uses a DoMenuItem action to choose the Run Macro command from the startup menu, you may receive the error message "Command not available."

CAUSE

The Run Macro command is not available on the startup menu.

RESOLUTION

Instead of using the DoMenuItem action to run a macro, use the RunMacro action. You can use the RunMacro action in macros and in Access Basic code. The syntax for the RunMacro action is

   DoCmd RunMacro "<macroname>"

where <macroname> is the name of the macro you want to run.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

In run-time applications developed with the Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit, the startup menu is available only if all the open forms are hidden. As a general rule, an application's users should not be allowed to access this menu manually. Also, you should try to avoid using macros in applications designed to run in the run-time environment unless they are absolutely necessary (for example, for menus, custom toolbars, AutoExec macros, and so on). A macro's lack of error handling capabilities may lead to an abrupt or awkward termination of the application.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

Open the sample database NWIND.MDB.

Create the following new macro:

      Macro Name   Action
      -----------------------
      ^{F8}        DoMenuItem

      ^{F8} Actions
      ---------------------
      DoMenuItem
         Menu Bar: Startup
         Menu Name: File
         Command: Run Macro

Save the macro as Autokeys.
Close the database.
Reopen NWIND.MDB.
From the Window menu, choose Hide.
Press CTRL+F8. Note that you receive the error message "Command not available."

REFERENCES

For more information about the RunMacro action, search for "RunMacro," and then "RunMacro Action" using the Microsoft Access Help menu.

For more information about the DoMenuItem action, search for "DoMenuItem," and then "DoMenuItem Action" using the Microsoft Access Help menu.

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