i have the following code which works fine 

Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()

    Dim password As String
    password = txtPasswordIn.Text
    
     'Check to see if data is entered into field: txtPasswordIn
        If IsNull(Me.txtPasswordIn) Or Me.txtPasswordIn = "" Then
        MsgBox "You must enter your Password (case sensitive).", vbOKOnly, "Required Data"
        Me.txtPasswordIn.SetFocus
        Exit Sub
        End If
     
 
 
  'Check to see if the Password entered is valid
    If password = "PASSWORD" Then
    Sheets("Database").Visible = True
    Sheets("Database").Activate
    Unload Me
        
    Else
        
        'if password is wrong displays a msg and unloads the form
        Sheets("Database").Visible = xlVeryHidden
        MsgBox "Password Not Accepted"
        Unload Me
        
    End If


End Sub
and allows them to view the admin area of the workbook, but if they click back onto the main search page the tab is hidden again and can only be got to again by re-entering the password

can i store the password until the workbook is closed so that you only have to enter it once

cheers all