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Unable to password protect my database form...

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:09 am
by oofman
I just installed Open Office V2.3.1 on a Windows Xp pro system. Already familiar with 'Access', I created a number databases with no problem. Then I tried to set one as 'password protected', so that I had to enter a password to open that database under Base.

I went to 'options' and set the program to use the openoffice.org dialogs as instructed in the help files. The help files said to then do a 'Save As', and check the 'password' box, so it would set a password.

I did that and was asked for a password which I typed in and verified.

I then exited the base program and restarted, it, (just to be sure), and opened that database, expecting to be asked for a password. However it didn't ask for a password and opened the database in normal mode, allowing me to add information.

I looked in the directory where I save my databases, and noticed another database with the same name but with an 'odt' extension. I opened this database by double-clicking on the file and Base came up and asked me for a password. I typed in the password, and base opened the database up.

I thought I was home-free, until I tried to add more data to the database. Normally there is a navigation toobar at the bottom, which wasn't there on this 'odt' file. I went to 'view' and checked the 'navigation' toolbar to make it visible. It is now visible but the previous and next 'record' arrows and most of the toolbar options are greyed out.

There doesn't seem to be any way to add data to this database, but it does ask for a password when I open the 'odt' file.

Am I doing something wrong? Or is it not possible to password protect a database under Base?


Thanks
oofman

Re: Unable to password protect my database form...

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 6:24 am
by DrewJensen
The current implementation of Base does not support password protecting the ODB file.

It sounds like what you did was to have an embedded form in an odb file open, then selected save as. This saves the FORM, not the database, as a Writer ( odt ) file. When this is done the data properties on the dataform controls need to be set for the correct Base file, as this data is set programmatically when the form is opened from within an odb file and not stored in the actual form definition. That is why the data navigation bar is not enabled.

Re: Unable to password protect my database form...

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:12 pm
by oofman
Bummer,

That's exactly what I did.
I had some private data I had in an msaccess db that was pw protected and wanted to move that over to Open Office. I guess I can paste the info in a Write file and pw protect that, since there isn't that much data.

Sure hope password protecting a Base file in on the future updates list.


thanks for the help Drew,

O

Re: Unable to password protect my database form...

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:17 pm
by DrewJensen
hmmm - you might consider another approach also.

I assume the MS Access file does require a password - well, when you create the Base file that connects to the MS Access data store do not include the password in the configuration - this way when the Base file opens, or any form that use it, it should prompt for the MS Access password.

OK - that works with things like PostgreSQL and MySQL but haven't actually tried it with MS Access but it should work.