Search for field references within a Microsoft Access "application"

Question

I have inherited a MS Access "application" and would like to trace all references to one of the fields.

Is there a way to search for the field (all google hits are for querying the table).

NOTE: I am not looking for any SQL help, I'd like something like the Visual Studio right-click -> find all references type thing.

Answer 1

You might also try the free add-in "Access Dependency Checker".

Answer 2

1. Go to Tools > Analyze > Documenter
2. "Select All" items in all categories
3. Under Options, ensure "code" is checked (should be default)
4. Run the Documenter report
5. Export into .rtf or other text format
6. Search on your field name

This is a good method because it is fast, free, and complete.

Aliases are exposed, in all their variety:

• Standard SQL ALIAS in a query.
• Use of the Caption or Description property of a table field.

It catches intersections of Access objects and VBA:

• a user function in VBA that is called from a query object.
• Use in VBA of the value from a control's Tag property.

Some Extra Tips:

• If the Documenter seems to have provided everything except the object names, then it's having trouble coping with a long file path. Relocate your work closer to the C Drive so the file path is shorter, then run the Documenter again.
• Of course if the database has links to outside data, you must deal with those! If it's an Access database, you can combine the reports into one.
• The Access Documenter won't reveal the Object Description, as accessed through the Navigation Pane. The Object Description allows you to attach a bit of text to an object. It was once handy for providing design comments, but since version 2007 it is practically useless. Honestly I wouldn't worry about it, as it's naturally fallen out of use; but its omission from the Documenter is silly and sad.