I have used Access since its Version 1.0, and have never had a _need_ to
expose datasheet view to a user of a developed database application. One
reason there is no easy answer to your questions, I'd guess, is that the
Access developers knew that datasheet view was for end-user use, not
developed application use, and that end-users working ad hoc with their own
data would not need to be so constrained.
We seem to have a rash of people who post as if the approach they decided to
use to accomplish a result is by-gosh and by-golly the only way to
accomplish it, even if a more appropriate way is offered.
Is there some valid business reason why John's suggestion of continous forms
view Forms cannot serve your business requirements? It can, as he pointed
out, be made to look the same as datasheet view (or can be made to look
somewhat more 'polished').
Larry Linson
Microsoft Office Access MVP