Microsoft Access 2003 free tutorial. Unit 11 Forms in Access2003
Unit 11. Forms (III).
The Toolbox
To define how the information within a form will appear, and in what format it will be, we use controls. A control is nothing
more than an object that shows data, performs actions, and/or is used as decoration. E.g, we can use a text box to
show data, a command button to open a form or report, or a line or a rectangle to separate or group controls in order to
make them more legible.
In the Toolbox we have a button for each type of control that can be added to a form.
If the Toolbox does not appear, click on the button on the toolbar.
If we want to create various controls of the same type we can block the control by double clicking on it (it will appear
enclosed in a darker line), as from this moment we can create all the controls we want of this type without having to double
clic every time. To unblock, all we need to do is click on the button.
There is a wizard that will help us to define the control, to activate it wizard click on button.
The Toolbox includes the following types of controls:
A Label serves to visualize a fixed text, text that we write directly into its control or Caption property.
A Text box is usually used to present data stored in a source field of the form. This type of text box is called an
dependant text box because it is dependant of the data in one specific field, and if we edit data in the Form view we will be
changing the data at the source. Text boxes can also be independant, e.g to represent the results of a calculation, or to
accept the entry of a users data. The data in an independant text box is not stored anywhere. In the Control source
property we have the name of the associated table's field (when it is dependant) or a calculation formula if we want it to
present the result to us in this case the formula needs to be preceeded by a = sign.
An Option Group is used to present a limited group of alternatives. A group of options makes it easier to select a value
as the user only needs then to click on the value he requires. There should only be a few options, otherwise it would be
better to use a list box or a combo box instead of an option group.
When we insert a group of options the wizard will appear to help us to define the group.
The Toggle button is usually used to add a new option to an existing Option Group, it can be used to present a Yes/No
field; if the field contains a Yes value the button will appear depressed.
The Option button is usually used to add a new option to an existing Option Group, it can be used to present a Yes/No
field; if the field contains a Yes value the button will appear like this , if not , like this .
The Check box is usually used to add a new option to an existing Option Group, it can be used to present a Yes/No
field; if the field contains a Yes value the button will appear like this , if not , like this .
The Combo box . In many cases it will be easier to select a value from a list than to remember it in order to type it. A list
of possibilities also helps to assure that the value introduced is correct. If we do not have sufficient space to show the list at
all times the combo box is used as it shows only one value (that which is associated with the control), and if we want to see
the list we can drop it down with the arrow to the right. When we add a combo box to the design area the wizard will open to
help us to define the control.
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