security - Open an Access database with scripting disabled (macros and VBA)

26
2013-08
  • Hugh Allen

    Suppose you want to examine the contents of an untrusted Access database.

    It seems there should be a way to open it in Access with macros and VBA disabled.

    Searching around the web, I've found several options which aren't quite right:

    • Hold down Shift to suppress any Autoexec macro or Startup form. No good because (unbelievably) it can be bypassed.
    • Set macro security level to Medium. The only options it gives you are Cancel and Open. There's no "open with scripting disabled".
    • "Sandbox mode" ie "block unsafe expressions". No good, most scripts still run.
    • KB article How to turn off Visual Basic for Applications when deploying Office 2003 or Office XP gives 5 options which are just variations on two methods:
      • uninstall (or don't install) VBA. Too drastic. I still want to examine the code I might or might not want to run.
      • Set a "VBAOff" registry value, equivalently through either Policy or regedit. This works for all Office applications except Access!

    Does anyone have any other ideas? I'm using Access 2003.

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    Related Question

    Convert Excel 4.0 macro to VBA
  • Lance Roberts

    Is there a tool to convert Excel 4.0 macros to VBA?


  • Related Answers
  • WireGuy

    Check out: Mr. Excel

    Basically says no tool to convert, but you should be able to use the xlm.

    I bet if you post the macro it would be converted.

  • Hari

    When you create a macro in Excel in the background VBA code is written. What else you want to do. You can even edit and modify the VBA code.