Access MVP (2010-2015)

oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo.oOo

Quotes within Quotes (Apostrophes also)

You want to use TEXT as the Control Source of a Control on your Form but you keep getting an error OR it doesn’t show as expected because your text contains an apostrophe or quotation mark(s). For help see chart below…

Control Source Property Result Explanation =”This is literal text.” This is literal text. Literal […]

Loading

Show *Enter Password* in a Control

When you have a Log On Form you can indicate what is to be entered by using the Format Property of the Control. By doing it this way the only value stored in the Table is what is entered, Enter Password is only for display.

In the Format Property of the Text or Memo field: […]

Loading

Not in List event

There are many examples of how to handle new entries to Combo Boxes, a.k.a. Not_In_List events. However, the one that is not so easily found is how to handle entries that include more than just what’s in the Combo Box. For example, you’re entering an Order from a new Client and you need more than […]

Loading

Adding a custom image to a Command Button

A little tired of the stock images that come with Access? You can add your own…

Step 1 – In Design Mode of your Form (if the Property Sheet is not open do so now) click on the Command Button. Then in the Property Sheet select the Ellipse button, the one with the three dots, […]

Loading

Left-Handed Combo Boxes

I sometimes use Combo Boxes as *labels*. This comes in especially handy in the communications section of the Contacts Form where any given Contact can have more than one eMail or more than one phone.

To move the drop down to the left… while the Form is in Design Mode click on the Combo Box. […]

Loading

Count characters

Normally, it’s not an issue if an End User tries to type in more characters than the Control will allow… they just can’t type anymore. BUT, if you are using an UNBOUND Form for data entry this is a big problem, they will not be able to Save and with a not so nice message. […]

Loading

Get Initials

I use Initials in Combo Boxes for space conservation on a Form. I don’t depend on the User to enter them, instead, I enter the below in the After_Update event of the Last Name Control on my Form…

Me.txtAssociateInitials = Trim(Left(Me.txtFirstName, 1)) & Trim((" " + Left(Me.txtMiddleInitial, 1))) & Trim((" " + Left(Me.txtLastName, 1)))

Loading

Group/Ungroup Controls

This tip is for Access 2007 and up…

Select all the Controls you want to keep together by holding down the Ctrl key on your keyboard while selecting On the Arrange tab on the Ribbon, select Size/Space then Grouping and click Group/Ungroup

Loading

Set focus to start of field

When you open a Form, the first field (Control) in your preset Tab Stop is always highlighted. This has been known to cause issues…

Users press the Enter key, thereby eliminating the data that was present (and don’t always remember to press Undo). Users begin typing not realizing they are not on a new […]

Loading

Sunken Controls

In Access 2003 or lower you set your Controls to have the Sunken effect. You upgraded and now you have lost it. To get the Sunken effect back you must…

1. Go to Design View of your Form

2. Click on the Field(s) you want to have the Sunken effect

3. Select a color […]

Loading