Maximum number of characters allowed in a short-cut target?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hi,

I'm using Windows XP, and in implementing the short-cut for an Access
database with a security file, I ran up against a limit of 259 characters.

The database and the MDW files are on the server, and the folderpath for the
database file, plus the path to MS Access file, and the folderpath to MDW
file combined are more than 260 characters.

I do not have the flexibility to create new folders at the top of the tree
on the server (these are set by the IT department) that would shorten the
pathname. I did rename the files to shorter names, but that doesn't help much.

Is there a way to get around this limit of 259 characters for the target?

The other solution is to put the BE and the MDW files on the C: drive of
each user (and I'll probably go that way), but I'm curious to know if there
is a way around this limit.

Thanks.

-Amit

PS. I realize that this is more of a Windows XP question, but since it is
being used to implement short-cut for Access security, I thought I could post
it here. My apologies if someone strongly feels that this question does not
belong here.
 
Hi, Amit.
Is there a way to get around this limit of 259 characters for the target?
Click to expand...

Actually, the limit is 256 characters and the limit is built into the
operating system's file type, the shortcut, so if you want to use a Windows
shortcut, then you will have to shorten the paths.

An alternative is to use a batch file or VB Script to open the secure
database. An example of the three lines required to do so in a batch file
named OpenDB.BAT would be:

Echo Off
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\MSACCESS.EXE"
"T:\Work\Data\MyDB.MDB" /wrkgrp "T:\Work\Data\Secure.MDW"
Echo On


However, a batch file probably can't decipher a UNC path, so if you are
using UNC's (the preferred method) instead of mapped drives, then you should
look into writing a VB Script that all users can execute.

HTH.

Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.

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