Office Settings & Configuration

How to Open an Access Form Maximized and Hide the Navigation Pane

Aamir Naveed Akram Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to configure a Microsoft Access database to automatically open a specific form in a maximized window while keeping the default Navigation Pane hidden.

How to Open an Access Form Maximized and Hide the Navigation Pane

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a custom database user interface for a cleaner startup experience.
Observed behavior: The database needs to present an application-like interface by defaulting to a maximized form and automatically hiding the Navigation Pane upon opening.

Before you start

Before modifying startup settings or writing VBA code, ensure you have a backup of your Access database and the necessary administrative rights to change database options.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Database Options and VBA Open Event

The most reliable method combines the built-in Access database options with a simple VBA command to maximize the window.

By setting a startup form in the Current Database options and using a single line of VBA code, you can easily control how the application behaves as soon as it is opened.

Set the startup form

Open your Access database and navigate to File > Options. Select 'Current Database' from the left menu. Under 'Application Options', choose your desired form from the 'Display Form' dropdown list.

Hide the Navigation Pane

In the same 'Current Database' options window, scroll down to the 'Navigation' section and uncheck the box for 'Display Navigation Pane'. Click OK.

Add Maximize VBA code

Open your startup form in Design View. Go to the Property Sheet, click the 'Event' tab, and select '[Event Procedure]' for the 'On Open' event. Click the ellipsis (...) and type DoCmd.Maximize in the VBA editor.

Save and restart

Save your form and close the VBA editor. Close and reopen the database to test the new startup behavior.

Bypass Startup Settings: You can bypass these startup settings and access the Navigation Pane by holding down the SHIFT key while opening the database.

Solution 2

Use VBA to Hide Pane and Maximize Form

Alternatively, you can handle both actions entirely within the form's Open event using VBA code.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get the Navigation Pane back after hiding it?

You can press F11 on your keyboard to toggle the Navigation Pane's visibility, provided the special keys haven't been disabled in your database settings.

Why isn't my form maximizing when the database opens?

Ensure that the form is selected in the 'Display Form' dropdown under File > Options > Current Database, and that the DoCmd.Maximize macro or VBA code is correctly placed and saved in the form's 'On Open' or 'On Load' event.

Can I disable the F11 shortcut to prevent users from opening the Navigation Pane?

Yes, you can disable the F11 key by creating an AutoKeys macro that intercepts the keystroke, or by unchecking the 'Use Access Special Keys' option in the Current Database settings.

How do I bypass the startup form to edit my database?

Hold down the SHIFT key while opening the Access database file. This bypasses the startup settings and scripts, giving you full access to the database objects and the Navigation Pane.

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