If your Access database contains Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code, you can hide that code by saving your database in the .accde file format. Saving a database as an .accde file compiles all VBA code modules, removes all editable source code, and compacts the destination database. Your VBA code retains its functionality, but the code cannot be viewed or edited. In general, the database will continue to function as usual — you can still update data and run reports.
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Create an .accde file
Use the following procedure to create an .accde file. This procedure leaves the original .accdb file unmodified.
- Open your database and then click File > Save As.
- On the Save As area, under Save Database As, select Make ACCDE and then click Save As.
- In the Save As dialog box, browse to the location where you want to save the .accde file.
- Optionally, type a new name for the file in the File name box.
- Click Save.If a file by the name that you specify already exists, Access prompts you to replace the existing file. Click Yes to overwrite the existing .accde file, or click No to return to the Save As dialog box and type a new file name.
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Access creates the .accde file, closes the original .accdb file, and then opens the .accde file.
Functionality that is changed in an .accde file
Saving your Access database as an .accde file does not completely prevent changes to the database design. However, the following tasks cannot be performed in an .accde file:
- Modifying or creating forms, reports, or modules.
- Using the VBA References dialog box to add, delete, or change references to object libraries or databases.
- Viewing or modifying the VBA code.
- Importing or exporting Access forms, reports, or modules. However, tables, queries, and macros can be imported from or exported to .accdb databases.
Issues with modifying forms, reports, or modules
Be sure to keep a copy of your original Access database. If you want to modify the design of forms, reports, or modules in an .accde file, you must modify the original Access database (the .accdb file), and then save it again as an .accde file. Saving an Access database that contains tables as an .accde file can lead to problems with reconciling different versions of the data if you later want to modify the design of the forms, reports, or modules. For this reason, saving an Access database as an .accde file is most appropriate for the front-end database of a front-end/back-end application.