Yes it is possible to populate your dbGrid with out using a data control. I prefer to use an ADO connection (Coded not the control) toconnect to the database. From there I use SQL to select the desired fields.
Code:
'Query by Chemical Name
Sub cmdQueryChemical_Click()

    Dim cnnLabTracking As New Connection
    Dim rsChemicalName As Recordset
    Dim cmd1 As Command
    Dim str1 As String
    Dim fldLoop As ADODB.Field
    

    Set cmd1 = New ADODB.Command

    With cmd1
        .ActiveConnection = _
            "Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;" & _
            "Data Source=C:\My Documents\Access Files\Lab Tracking.mdb;"
        .CommandText = "SELECT SampleNumber, `Chemical Name`, `Container Number`, `Container Weight`," & _
        "`Description`, `Part Number`, `Batch`, `Screener`, `Department`, `Operator`," & _
        "`Date` " & _
        "FROM SampleLogin " & _
        .CommandType = adCmdText
    End With
   
    
    'Run query.
        cmd1.Execute
    'Clear data grid
        vfgSearchResults.Clear
    
    'Open recordset on cmd1 
        Set rsChemicalName = New ADODB.Recordset
        rsChemicalName.Open cmd1
    
    Do Until rsChemicalName.EOF
    vfgSearchResults.AddItem str1, 0
        str1 = ""
        For Each fldLoop In rsChemicalName.Fields
            str1 = str1 & fldLoop.Value & Chr(9)
        Next fldLoop
        vfgSearchResults.Refresh
        Debug.Print str1
        rsChemicalName.MoveNext
    Loop

    rsChemicalName.Close
    
End Sub
This is just a quick example & may not be exact. It's quitting time now. If you need more help just post & I'll reply asap...