Save User Specific Parameter values

Introduction

Last week we have prepared a Report Parameter Control Form for concurrent users on the Network without clashing with other User's Report Data Filter Parameter Values while preparing different Versions of the same Report. To do this we have discarded the usage of a Parameter Table as Record Source in the Parameter Form and created two Unbound Text Boxes for keying in Parameter Values for setting Filter condition in the Report Source Query. Besides that, we have seen how to save the Parameter Values in the Custom Properties of the Form, when the Form is closed.

The sample image of the Report Parameter Form: RptParameter is given below for reference:

Last week we have used the Parameter Control's Text Box Names FromDate and ToDate for entering Date-Range values as Criteria for filtering Data in Report Source Query. The Custom Property Names we have created giving slight changes to the Text Box Names, like DateFrom and DateTo.

One Question we raised last week was; is it possible to Save and Retrieve the Report Parameter Values set by each User on the fromDate and toDate TextBox Controls, in different instances of the same form, without getting overwritten by somebody else value? In last week's example, there is only one set of custom properties created for all the users and for all instances of the Form. The last user of the Network who closes his instance of the form will overwrite the Custom Property values of all other earlier instances and will be loaded back into the TextBox control next time when the form is loaded.

User-based Custom Property Name Format.

The solution is simple; create Custom Properties on the Form for each User and save the value set by him/her when their side instance of the Parameter Form is closed. To identify each User's value; add the User-Name along with the TextBox Name, to make the names unique, and create the Custom Property Name.

For example:

• User-Name: JSmith
• Parameter TextBox Name1: fromDate
• Parameter TextBox Name2: toDate
• Custom Property Name1: JSmithDateFrom
• Custom Property Name2: JSmithDateTo

 We can get the User Name of the current instance of the Form with the Function CurrentUser().

When the User-Name prefixes to the Custom Property Names we can easily save and retrieve individual User's parameter values and use them on their instance of the same Form as well.

Another point we have to keep in mind is that new users may be added to the same Workgroup and this method should work for them also when they start using the RptParameter Form.

We must write the VBA Routines in such a way that whenever a new user starts working with the RptParameter Form; the User must be identified as a newcomer and Custom Properties in that User must be created automatically, rather than creating it manually as we did in the earlier example.

The Custom Property Creation Code.

1. The modified Custom Properties creation Program is given below. Copy and Paste the code into a Standard Module of your Database.

   Public Function CreateCustom_Property(ByVal frmName As String, ByVal usrName As String)
   '-------------------------------------------------------------------------
   ' Author : a.p.r. pillai
   ' Date   : November-2009
   ' All Rights Reserved by www.msaccesstips.com
   '-------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Dim cdb As Database, doc As Document
   Dim prp As Property, getPrpValue
   Dim fld1 As String, fld2 As String
   
   On Error Resume Next
   
   fld1 = usrName & "DateFrom"
   fld2 = usrName & "DateTo"
   
   Set cdb = CurrentDb
   Set doc = cdb.Containers("Forms").Documents(frmName)
   
   'check whether the Property of the current user exists
   getPrpValue = doc.Properties(fld1).Value
   
   If Err = 3270 Then 
   ' referenced Property doesn't exist
       Err.Clear
   'create Property for new User
       Set prp = doc.CreateProperty(fld1, dbDate, Date)
       doc.Properties.Append prp
       Set prp = doc.CreateProperty(fld2, dbDate, Date)
       doc.Properties.Append prp
       doc.Properties.Refresh
   End If
   
   Set prp = Nothing
   Set doc = Nothing
   Set cdb = Nothing
   
   End Function

2. Create a Copy of the RptParameter Form with the name RptParameter2.
3. Open RptParameter2 Form in Design View.
4. Display the VBA Module of the Form (View - -> Code).
   
   

   Revised VBA Code - Form Load.

5. Copy and Paste the following Sub-Routines into the VBA Module overwriting the earlier Code:
   

   Private Sub Form_Load()
   Dim cdb As Database, doc As Document
   Dim fld1 As String, fld2 As String
   
   fld1 = CurrentUser & "DateFrom"
   fld2 = CurrentUser & "DateTo"
   
   'Validate Current User's Status
   'If, necessary create Custom Properties for new User
   CreateCustom_Property Me.Name, CurrentUser
   
   DoCmd.Restore
   
   Set cdb = CurrentDb
   Set doc = cdb.Containers("Forms").Documents(Me.Name)
   Me![fromDate] = doc.Properties(fld1).Value
   Me![toDate] = doc.Properties(fld2).Value
   
   Set cdb = Nothing
   Set doc = Nothing
   
   End Sub
   

   Revised VBA Code - Form Close.

   Private Sub Form_Close()
   Dim cdb As Database, doc As Document
   Dim fld1 As String, fld2 As String
   
   fld1 = CurrentUser & "DateFrom"
   fld2 = CurrentUser & "DateTo"
   
   Set cdb = CurrentDb
   Set doc = cdb.Containers("Forms").Documents(Me.Name)
   
   doc.Properties(fld1).Value = Me![fromDate]
   doc.Properties(fld2).Value = Me![toDate]
   
   Set cdb = Nothing
   Set doc = Nothing
   End Sub

6. Save and Close the Form.

Review of Programs.

As you can see from the Form_Load() Event Procedure that the Custom Property Creation Program CreateCustom_Property() is called only when the User (New or existing) opens the RptParameter2 Form. So, the Custom properties are not created for all the Users of the Database if their activity doesn't involve this particular Form.

The Report Parameter Form must be tested from different machines at the same time by different Users and set their own values in the Parameter Control Text Boxes: fromDate and toDate to try out the procedure. When the Form is open by the same Users next time the values set by them in the earlier session should appear in the fromDate and toDate Text Box Controls.

NB: The above Procedure is not extensively tested to trap Bugs or side effects and you may use it at your own risk. If you find any bugs or issues, please share them with me too. The procedure assumes that the Database is implemented with Microsoft Access Security.

Visit the Page: Unsecured Database and Users Log to find out how to get a User's Name when the shared database is an Un-secured one. In un-secured databases, the CurrentUser() Function will always return the User Name as Admin.

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