Microsoft KB Archive/138772

= ACC95: Run Macro Command Not Available on Startup Menu =

Article ID: 138772

Article Last Modified on 7/5/2002

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Access 95 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q138772



Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.



SYMPTOMS
When you run a macro or Visual Basic for Applications routine that uses a DoMenuItem action to choose the Macro command from the Startup menu, you may receive the following error message:

The command or action 'Macro' isn't available now"



CAUSE
The Macro command is not available on the Startup menu.



RESOLUTION
Instead of using the DoMenuItem action to run a macro, use the RunMacro action. You can use the RunMacro action in macros and in Visual Basic code. The syntax for the RunMacro action is as follows

  DoCmd.RunMacro <"macroname">

where is the name of the macro you want to run.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.



MORE INFORMATION
In run-time applications developed with the Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit, the startup menu is available only if all the open forms are hidden. As a general rule, an application's users should not be allowed to gain access to this menu manually. Also, you should try to avoid using macros in applications designed to run in the run-time environment unless they are absolutely necessary (for example, for menus, custom toolbars, AutoExec macros, and so on). A macro's lack of error handling capabilities may lead to an abrupt or awkward termination of the application.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior
 Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.  Create the following new macro:

     Macro Name   Action ---     ^{F8}        DoMenuItem

^{F8} Actions DoMenuItem MenuBar: Startup MenuName: Tools Command: Macro  Save the macro and name it Autokeys. Close the database.</li> Reopen Northwind.mdb.</li> On the Window menu, click Hide.</li> Press CTRL+F8. Note that you receive the error message, "The command or action 'Macro' isn't available now."</li></ol>

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