Utter Access Forums

Utter Access Forums is a popular online help forum dealing primarily with Microsoft Office products and relational database management systems. Utter Access is used by over 100,000 users around the world and in addition to professional help with problem solutions, users are able to download many sample applications, articles, and sample code.

History

Utter Access Forums originated from the Access All Areas (athree.com) forums in 2001. The original Access All Areas web site and forums started in 1997 and grew quickly into a meeting site for professional developers. Limited resources and time forced the owner of site, Simon Wolf, to close the site and it was then that several individuals decided to keep the spirit of these forums alive and create a new meeting site for everyone who has problems regarding Microsoft products or who would like to provide help and problem solutions to others.

Forums

Utter Access Forums provides many different forums for extensive help. In addition to help associated with Microsoft products like Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft SQL Server, VB.net, Active Server Pages...it is possible to receive problem solutions for many other software or hardware related subject matters. Some of these are:
*Crystal Reports
*PHP
*Networking
*Computer Security
*Web Development
*Computer Graphics

Community

Utter Access Forums is known for its friendly and professional community. It is the great attitude of all members which makes Utter Access one of the most successful online forums. A strict policy of equality is practiced and ensures all users the opportunity to receive professional help no matter what level of knowledge they may have.

How to post a good question on Utter Access Forums

Please DO:
*Consult the standard resources before posting. Run a search through the forum and archives (see 'How to Search Utter Access Forums') or try your Access Help file (F1).
*Ask one question at a time and give it a meaningful subject line that will fit in the space available. This allows members to answer topics within their knowledge and all of us to find answers in the archives or through the search engine.
*Post in the correct forum. You can find descriptions of the forums on the main index page, or if you see a "Please Read" post at the top of a forum, take a moment to read it for the forum specific details.
*Take some time to get used to the forum layout — don't worry if you make a mistake. You can view your post and choose the edit option. Delete the post and repost it in the correct forum.
*Provide sufficient detail: your version of Access if you are not posting in that version's forum, your objective, what you have tried and what is actually happening. Include any error messages and error numbers you receive.
*Try to describe a complex situation clearly by using your form, control, table and field names. Writing vaguely is of little help and your object naming may be part of the problem. If getting to this level, it is useful to mention the data types (i.e.: text, integer, date/time) of important fields.
*If you are asking about data or design issues, describe your existing tables or the data that you want to store. Provide a sample of non-critical data when possible.
*If your question is specifically about queries or coding, and you have made a start, then post the SQL string or code segment. It is difficult to debug what cannot be seen.
*When asking about a query or report, describing your objective may be difficult. If you provide a few rows of non critical data plus the results you wish to obtain, this will help others understand your problem.
*If you are having trouble running a query from Visual Basic code, provide the result of a debug statement as well as the code. Raw code that composes SQL can be very difficult to read. Comparing the results versus your code may help you or someone else solve the problem.
*Be polite. If you are having trouble understanding another member's question, ask them to clarify it for you. English is not everyone's native language so they may have just as much trouble understanding what you are requesting of them.
*Make an attempt to answer others' questions. It is a great way for you to learn and if you make an error you will be treated kindly. Remember that a Guru is just somebody who started making mistakes before you did.
*Try to reply to a question at a level that will be understood. If someone says they are a beginner, do not overwhelm them with code only an experienced developer would understand. Better yet, explain to them what it is you are doing and why.
*Compact and Zip any attached files. You can attach a file with your post when you have checked the, "I want to preview my post and/or attach a file" check box.
*Thank people who are particularly helpful - but privately.
*When attaching a database, be specific about what report/form/table/query is creating the problem, and what steps are necessary to recreate the problem.
*Remove all startup properties, forms, and macros from attached databases.

Please DO NOT:
*Expect members to write your application for you. If you are given only hints or general directions don't take it personally. You should show that you are making an effort yourself. This especially applies to homework assignments - outlawed at many sites.
*Send Private Messages, direct emails or unsolicited database files to other members, moderators or administrators related to questions concerning Access unless they have requested you to do so.
*Post questions in Archive forums (Access Code Archives, Access FAQA's and ASP-VBScript Code Archive). These forums are for code examples only, or for answers to frequently asked questions.
*Complain that Access does not work the way that you wish. Each version of Access has its own limitations. Microsoft has tried to add more functionality in each new version they have released, but this requires the user to spend some time learning the additional fundamentals. Try to find a workaround solution, and share that solution for others who may have run into the same limitation.
*Make rash statements regarding the limitations of Access unless you are prepared to prove your observation. A better reply might be: I am not sure this can be done in Access. List why you think it can't be done.
*Reply to a serious post jokingly - this may confuse the person who asked the question or others viewing it. UtterAccess is viewed in over 100 countries and although displayed in English as a default, may be a very foreign language to many members.
*Double or Cross post the same thread in multiple forums.
*Use the "Notify Moderators" button in order to draw attention to one of your posts.

How to search Utter Access Forums

UtterAccess offers you two options. You may use the search text box located in the upper left corner of your screen or you may use the Advanced Search Options. If using the simple search box, results will be returned from the forum you are currently viewing. This will also provide only a limited number of results, approximately 1 month prior. By example, if you are in the Access Queries forum, the search will be limited to posts in the Access Queries Forum. If you are on the main index page, the search will be performed against all the UA forums.

For several additional options, try using the Advanced Search Options.

The list of UA forums will appear in a list box. You may select a specific forum or forums, or simply select "all forums". To select multiple forums use CTRL + Click or SHIFT + Click.

Keywords search terms. (Required) Enter your search criteria; the keywords you would like to find. Make sure to use the + (plus) sign for required keywords, the - (minus) sign to exclude posts with the provided keyword and " " (quotes) around a phrase. You can extend your search by selecting the option: "Search in the subject or in the subject and the body of the post."Furthermore, you can limit your search by providing a valid username, search within a specific time/date range, and whether the thread you are looking for includes an attachment or not.

External links

* [http://www.utteraccess.com Utter Access Forums]
* [http://www.access-freak.com Access-Freak: Access 2003 <-> 2007 Tutorials]