Simple Security for Microsoft Access Databases. Hide Tables. Disable Ribbon. Make ACCDE File.

In this video, I will show you how to protect your Access databases with security that's good enough for most trusted work environments. You will learn how to hide sensitive objects (tables, forms, etc.), hide the Navigation Pane, disable the full Ribbon, and encrypt your database into an Execute-Only version (ACCDE).

Ruben from Toronto, Canada (a Platinum member) asks: I trust my employees. I have a small 5-person, family-run business. I'm not worried about someone intentionally sabotaging my database. However, I'd like to secure it just enough to keep people from seeing things they shouldn't (like financial data or sensitive customer info). Plus I wouldn’t want someone accidentally "breaking" something. Any tips you can give? I know you have a whole Security Seminar, but I don't need Fort Knox here.

BONUS FOR CHANNEL MEMBERS:
Silver Members and up get access to an EXTENDED CUT of this video which covers additional examples. That video will show you how to password protect your sensitive forms using an InputBox in your buttons to prompt the user for a password. I'll also show you how to minimize the Ribbon and the Navigation Pane, and also maximize Access (the entire application window).

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KEYWORDS:
microsoft access, ms access, #msaccess, #microsoftaccess, security, lock, accde, mde, hide tables, hide navigation pane, disable full ribbon, bypass key, password, encrypt, protect, logon, login, show hidden objects

QUESTIONS:
Please feel free to post your questions or comments below. Thanks.

[xm_tech]

The ACCDE disables the VBA, took a while to figure things out. Had to debug-compile first in the accdb then save as accde. things are working. thanks for the tutorial.

[tdp]

Listen Mr Rost
YOU ARE FREAKING AWESOME

[waltzb]

Just found your channel. I'm a retired ship's captain and years ago using Access 2003 designed a ship's management program. It had a lot of sensitive information since I also designed a payroll program into the database, so it had SS numbers, bank accounts, addresses etc. In Tools I was able to set up permissions for my officers and the database was on ship's server, I was the owner, it lived on the LAN so I could access the mdb from any of the work stations in addition to my office. I just purchased MS Office 2021 and I see the security tools are gone? The log in username and pw and permissions pretty much made it bullet proof, from even my officers in case they felt they wanted to diddle with design or even worse..my functions and code. MS can never seem to leave anything alone, but is the type of security I put into my old database gone? I've subscribed just now to your channel, haven't had a chance to browse through your videos, hoping to find some answers. As I mentioned I'm retired, but that doesn't mean the OCD is retired. You had to demonstrate at least one disorder before you got your own command. Cheers!

[melalama]

Thank you for the great videos. I got answers to everything I need in one or the other video of yours. Highly appreciate your efforts on making them.

[khalidtanweer]

Nice one will be in touch with and get my questions answered by you, thanks

[ivansanjuan]

Thank you for the tutorial. For some reason, from browsing tutorials, I thought I would have needed to do VBA to facilitate these simple security tasks.

[DominiqueKoch-qdbz]

I've really been enjoying your videos! Thank you so much! I just have a question after watching this video. If there are two databases, the original one only for the "boss" and the ACCDE version for the employees to use, wouldn't the data on the original version become outdated? Wouldn't the boss have to update the data in the tables in the original copy every time he had to make a programming change? Or, how do you handle that? Thank you so much.

[knamc]

can you add the word templates to access for the mail merge and generate everything out of access?

[jwcolby]

Usys prefix when naming any object such as table form quiri Etc. The result is similar to the hidden property.

[mukeshphull]

I learned lots of things about the Microsoft access database from your channel. Very valuable educational channel.One question How can create password-protected command button in the access. I will really appreciate if you can share this.
Thanks

[tomservo]

I've used the accde before and I know that this can be used on a computer that does not have Microsoft Access. There are differences, aren't there, between what you can do with an ACCDE on a computer that has Access installed and one that doesn't? Is removing Access from employee computers an option?

[alijan]

Hello. thanks for the tutorial. but can you help me hiding privacy option in access db file. I did exactly what you did, but still I see privacy option and users can see data in the users table.

[restrepojorgea]

Is there anyway to prevent someone from copying the files with all the information from the shared folder ? In other words, stealing the files maybe for use somewhere else ?

[Bills_Bicycle_Rides]

Are seminars or status options free too?

[eleriloki]

I'm not sure what version of access you are using in your tutorials but you may need to update them to the latest version. I know this tutorial has some wrong information in it. For example, your shift double click to bypass the changes in database options does not work. Also if I make those changes and try to save it as a de file the save option isn't available. Maybe I'm doing something wrong although I am following your tutorial to the letter. Am I missing something?

[dmitriyzaslavskiy]

Richard,
Is there a way to hide stored login info when connecting Access to SQL Server? I know it's not easy to find for an average user, but the info is still relatively easy to find in hidden objects, even if exported as ACCDE.

[waltdunlap]

Great tutorial; however, when I try to encrypt the database the only option, after entering the password, is PRINT. No SAVE AS option.

[smallwoodrh]

Are the steps for storing and accessing database files on a SharePoint location the same as they would be for a local network?

[rumanaparveen]

Dear sir,
Is it possible to run my database others computer, If ms office not installed on others computer. can you make a vedio about it

[microsecure]

if u can help me with this pls
access database all fields shows as ( #Deleted )
knowing that this form was perfectly working and this error happened suddenly