New Features of Total Access Detective X.8 for Microsoft Access 2007 and 2003

Comparison results are enhanced to let you better understand what changed.

Line-by-Line Comparisons of Embedded Macros

Embedded macros on forms and reports are now compared on a line-by-line basis similar to how regular macros are compared. Previously, the entire embedded macro property was compared without the "smart" comparison that identifies new or deleted lines within the macro code. To support this, the results now have a new Embedded Macros tab when differences exist. For two database comparisons, this is in the Object Differences screen. Three new reports are added to show the differences, and the embedded macro code from each object or database.

Identical Procedures Listed for Module Comparisons

In addition to listing the modules lines that are different, a new list of identical procedures is generated. This lets you easily confirm which procedures did not change. The identical procedures are shown on a new Identical Procedures tab after the Module Differences tab. This applies to comparing two objects, two databases, and two blocks of text. A report is provided for printing the list, which can also be exported.

The new features give you better control over the comparisons you generate.

New Data Comparison Option to Ignore Case Differences

A new option is available to ignore case between fields to perform case insensitive comparisons of your data. This is set under the Data Comparison Options, Field Comparison tab.

When Comparing Modules, Optionally Ignore Blank Lines and Comments

Additional options are available to compare modules by ignoring blank lines and comments. This is in addition to ignoring differences due to case or indentations. These options are now available under Text Options.

The Ignore Comments option is a powerful new feature that leverages our VBA Code Parser to identify comments in your code whether they are on their own line, end of a line, or across multiple lines. The result is the ability to identify actual VBA code modifications without clutter from comment changes.

Ignore Blank Lines and Comments when Comparing Two Blocks of Text

Similar to module comparison, you can also ignore blank lines and comments when comparing two blocks of text.

Exclude Properties from Comparison

You now have the ability to exclude properties from the comparisons. For instance, if you don’t care about the LastUpdated property of objects, you can exclude it from comparison. This is particularly useful when a property you don’t care about is the only difference between objects.

In prior versions, only one set of database comparison results was available. You can now define the name of the database containing the results and save them anywhere.

Specify Storage Database Name for Database Comparisons

When comparing two databases, you can now specify the name of the database containing the results. This lets you keep an unlimited number of database comparison results. You can specify the database name on the last page of the wizard. If the name already exists, information on what it contains is displayed.

Specify Storage Folder

By default, Total Access Detective saves its files in a user folder. You can now change this location to another folder when you specify the storage folder for the results. When you do that, the storage database is automatically named the same as the first of your two databases.

Viewing Different Database Comparisons

From the main screen when viewing the results of database comparisons, a new button to open the documentation is available. Easily retrieve a previously saved result. This lets you keep and manage multiple copies of the database comparison results.

Command Line Can Specify Storage Database Name

Total Access Detective lets you compare two databases using your last selection options from the command line or Windows shortcut.

You can now add an additional parameter specifying the storage database name. This lets you automate the generation of multiple database comparisons. Syntax:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\MSACCESS.EXE"
"C:\Total Access Detective 2007\tadetect.accdb" 
/cmd "C:\Northwind1.mdb;C:\Northwind2.mdb; C:\Output\NorthwindCompare.tda"

The first two lines launch Microsoft Access and our database comparison file. The third line is a command which specifies the two databases to compare, followed by the database to contain the results.

Retains Previous Results

Previously, if you were running the two database comparison and selected two databases, the existing results were no longer available, even if you canceled before generating the new comparison. This is now separated so the results are available until you overwrite them.

System Tables are Not Selected

In the Database Comparison Wizard, if your Navigation Pane has System Objects turned on, the system objects are listed for selection. Previously, all objects were automatically selected for comparison. Now, the system tables are not selected.

Exports Data to another Database

When performing text comparisons in the two database comparison feature, you can now export the results to another database.

New Reports

New reports are available for:

• Embedded Macro Differences
• Embedded Macro Lines
• Identical Procedures

Reports List is Full Screen with More Information

The display of available reports is full screen with a category and description of each report to make it easier to view, understand and select.

Preview Multiple Reports at Once

Multiple reports can now be opened via Preview and/or Report View on separate tabs.

Manages User Access Control Rights

Total Access Detective respects your Windows login rights. By default, it is installed in your user folder, it updates registry settings in your user section and anticipates the issues around user access control and trusted folders.

New Manual and Context Sensitive Help

A new user manual and help file are provided.