Microsoft Access Object Dependencies

Provided by the FMS Development Team

Microsoft Access has a feature to help you determine which objects require another object, or whether the object is needed for another object. This is what is known as a dependency. For example a report is dependent on a query for it's data, or a Main form may have a subform dependent.

To see an example of this new feature try the following:

  1. Open the Northwind Database
  2. Click on the Forms tab
  3. Click one time on the "Customer Orders" form to highlight it
  4. From the Main Menu, choose View, Object Dependencies...

This action will open a task pane titled 'Object dependencies', and gives you two options:

  • Objects that depend on me
  • Objects that I depend on

A Treeview of different categories for the object allows you to navigate easily to see the dependencies. The categories are Tables, Queries, Forms, and Reports. This can visually give you a better idea of how any object is used throughout a database. There is nothing worse than deleting an needed object that you thought was no longer used.

Microsoft Access generates the dependency information by searching the name maps. These maps are maintained by the Name AutoCorrect feature. If tracking name AutoCorrect information is turned off, you cannot view dependency information. This setting is found on the General Tab of the Tools/Options menu choice.

Even if AutoCorrect is on, the object dependencies are not complete. If objects are referenced in VBA code, none of those dependencies are detected. Without knowing these references, you'll still need to be very careful when renaming or deleting objects

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Thank you! Thank you! I just finished reading this document, which was part of a link in the recent Buzz newsletter. I have printed it for others to read, especially those skeptical on the powers of Access and its capabilities.

Darren D.


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