Access 2003 VBA Programmer's Reference

19.2. Property Scanner

The ADE package includes an add-in for Access called the Property Scanner. As an add-in it is accessed from within Access while you have your database open. As the name suggests, the ADE Property Scanner scans collections, objects, and properties of a database for the occurrence of a particular term or value. This includes pretty much every type of object your application can have: the project, the current DB, documents, containers, tables, references, queries, forms, reports, macros, modules, and command bars.

So what is the purpose of the Property Scanner? Have you ever wanted to change the name of a field in a table and wondered how the heck you were going to figure out where that field is used throughout your entire application? Have you ever decided to "go for it" only to find out that the change impacts everything and trying to test every part of your application is a monumental task? Ever decided not to change the name for fear of breaking your application? We have deliberated and succumbed to all three. With the Property Scanner you can perform an impact analysis before you make any final decision. So this tool will help with your impact analysis as well as help you get through all of the changes you need to make if you decide to make such a change.

19.2.1. Property Scanner Search Specification

As indicated earlier, you use the Property Scanner from within Access with your database open. Select Tools | Add-ins | Property Scanner to display the Property ...