References

References

In order for Access to function properly, Access has to have references to various external object libraries. By default, a new Access 97 database willhave references to the following object libraries:

Access 8.0;
DAO 3.5/3.51;
VBA

When a references to an external object library is set, Access stores certain information about the object library, such as the location of the file, and the version (both major and minor).

You can also set references to other object libraries, in order to utilisetheir objects, properties and methods. For example, you can set a reference to Word, Excel or Outlook, all of which are members of the Office suite of programs, or use Windows Common Controls (but for a reason not too, see below), and other third party object libraries, such as ActiveX controls.

Sometimes a reference to an object library fails. This normally manifests itself by certain functions producing errors. The functions normally affected are Date, Trim, Left and Mid, even though these functions are not in the object library that is missing. There are various reasons for this happening. Some are:

The version of the object library being used has been changed from what was originally referenced. This is especially true when using the Windows Common Controls (e.g. ComCtl32.dll) which seems to be changed every time that you install any new software on the computer.
The object library that has been referenced has either been moved to a different location or else deleted.
Access sometimes just throws a wobbly, for whatever reason. This is normally caused by moving the database from one computer to another.

To fix this problem, from the main database window, press Ctl-G to bring up the debug window, and then select Tools|References. Hopefully, one of these references will be preceded by 'MISSING'. If the reference is actually needed (sometimes Access creates spurious missing references to keep you on your toes), re-reference it. If the reference isn't needed (i.e. it isn't one of the default references, and it isn't a reference that you have manually added yourself), try de-referencing it.

If no references are marked as missing, it is possible that the reference to DAO is actually missing, even though it is not marked as such. Apparently, this is caused by the installation of MDAC 2.5 (i.e. by installing Internet Explorer 5.5). In this case, try removing the reference to DAO in the Database, closing the reference screen, and then re-referencing DAO.

The final solution might be to create a new database, as references are database specific, and a new database should have the three standard references already created, and then importing everything into this database.

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Last modified at 06/06/2006 14:54:30