I get many calls from people regarding databases that appear to open up OK, but the buttons and so forth don’t work. It is often the case that Access works on one computer but not another, or that the program used to work but not anymore. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred this has to do with security settings.
By default, MS Access doesn’t allow programming code to run. This is because, like any other piece of business software, an Access database is comprised mostly out of programming code . This includes the ability to read and write files, for example. Therefore, a rogue Access database could, for example, insert a malicious file on your computer.
Below, are instructions on how to disable these warnings on your computer. The Access and Excel files you find on this website are clean and virus free.
Here’s how to fix this problem in Access 2007
- Click the big button in the top left-hand corner of Access
- Click on Access Options at the bottom right-hand corner
- Click on Trust Center
- Click on Trust Center Settings
- Click on Macro Settings
- Select “Enable All Macros (not recommended; potentially dangerous code can run)
- Click on OK
- Click on OK
- Close the database and open it again. The problem should be gone.
How to fix the problem in Access 2010
- Click the File menu in the top left-hand corner of Access
- Click on Options, towards the bottom on the left
- Proceed with Steps 3 through 9, above.
Another Alternative — How to “Play it Safe”
Just click the “Enable Content” button. That will allow the database to open just the one time. Every time you open the database you will have to click this button, BUT, you will not be permanently changing your security settings.