Developers App Helper – Part 2: Control Window & Interface
Part 2 of the Developers App Helper series: functions to control the Access window and interface – from hiding the interface to always-on-top, window size, transparency and taskbar flashing. Ideal for kiosk, presentation and production environments.
I am continuing the Developers App Helper series. In this second part I introduce more small but extremely useful helpers that make your databases more professional, convenient and flexible.
What is behind it?
In my projects, a series of functions has emerged around the topic of application & database. They are small, effective and can be easily integrated into existing VBA solutions.
The functions in Part 2
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
AppMenuHide | Hides or shows the entire Access interface (navigation pane, ribbon, status bar). Prevents users from regaining navigation via F11 and persists after the next start. |
AppWindowControl | Controls the state of the Access main window: hide, minimize, maximize, restore and special modes (e.g. “noactivate”, “forcemin”). |
AppGetWindowSize / AppSetWindowSize | Reads the size and position of the Access window, or sets them specifically – for layout tests or multi-monitor environments. |
AppWindowOnTop | Keeps Access always in the foreground (“Always-On-Top”) – ideal for dashboards, info terminals or kiosk solutions. |
AppInForeground | Brings the Access application to the foreground – e.g. after a notification or a task switch. |
AppIconFlashTaskbar | Flashes the Access icon in the taskbar to attract attention (important events, waiting or error states). |
AppWindowTransparency | Sets the transparency of the main window (or a form) – for special layouts or visual effects. |
Concrete use cases
- Kiosk / dashboard mode: with
AppMenuHideandAppWindowOnTopthe Office interface disappears; Access stays visible and focused – ideal for info panels or touch terminals. - Secure database mode: hide the navigation, ribbon and status bar completely so users can’t change objects or settings.
- Presentations & training: with
AppWindowControlandAppSetWindowSizeprepare all display modes in a flash – full screen, partial window, minimized, maximized. - Monitoring & notifications: on important events
AppIconFlashTaskbarflashes and Access jumps into view withAppInForeground. - Visual cues: the transparency function lets you flexibly adjust the screen – e.g. for overlays.
Why are these functions helpful?
- They make Access applications more user-friendly, more secure and more modern.
- They control presentation and production environments individually – beyond the standard functions.
- Many features are not natively available in Access, or only in a cumbersome way (hiding the app window, transparency, taskbar notification).
- They increase professionalism and adaptability in the corporate and training environment.
In short: the Developers App Helper is a toolbox for the modern Access professional – for better operation, security and presentation.
Just give it a try
Using the included testing form, you can try out the functions directly and adopt them for your own application. You’ll find the detailed description directly in the code, well documented as usual.
Download
Part 2 of the Developers App Helper series for MS Access: hide/show the Access interface, control the window (size, position, always-on-top, foreground), transparency and taskbar notification.
