Create an "expert mode" option that disables Access novice features in design mode.
For examples, it frustrates to me when Access decides to trial run my complicated or data intense cross-tab queries upon entering or exiting design mode. And sometimes it alters a failed query automatically when I open it in design mode. In all cases the auto changes are destructive, even when I try to close out of design without saving. There are many other automatic features for dummies that I'd love to disconnect but can't.
John Partyka
shared this idea
8 comments
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KVD
commented
Oh, and denying the QBE grid to the user/programmer when there is a syntax error is a childish punishment. That may not have been the intention of the Access Team. But understand this: when a query has difficulties of syntax or has a linkage failure, denying the QBE grid and converting every field to "Expr1: ..." is just obnoxious. Access did NOT use to do this in the past, why start this weirdness now?
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KVD
commented
Mr. Partyka's original point (opening a query in design) is a sensitive and touchy point. Why should the db engine destroy the SQL just because it could not find a linked source table? To a person the solution is obvious - the source is no longer there. That does NOT mean the SQL is bad. Simply leave it as is. This is not even a difficult request to the Access team. If a query does not parse properly, do NOT try to fix it. Throw it back in the programmer's face intact and say via error message what is wrong with it.
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Tom Wickerath
commented
Let the user pick which options they wish to disable in design mode.
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KVD
commented
@Joe re who decides Dummy vs. Expert mode? We do. We enter as an Expert and pre-processing does not occur
This is also true of Queries in design mode. If the linked table is not available, the entire SQL gets corrupted which will NOT uncorrupt even if we supply the correct connection later.
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John Partyka
commented
It could be a new User Interface option under Access Options, General.
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That's not exactly what I meant. How would Microsoft determine this distinction in order to implement this feature ?
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John Partyka
commented
The user would choose their mode of course. Beginners (like Jack perhaps) would default to novice and more experienced users could save time and unnecessary pre-processing by choosing expert mode.
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Who would determine the distinction between 'dummies' and whatever category of user you are ?
