Microsoft Access 2002
Illustrated Complete
Using
Forms
Objectives


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

Plan a form
Create a form
Move and resize controls
Modify labels
Modify text boxes
Using Forms Unit C
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Objectives



Modify tab order
Enter and edit records
Insert an image
Using Forms Unit C
3
Unit Introduction

A form is an Access database object
that allows you to present information
in a format that makes entering and
editing data easy.
– Forms are the primary object used to
find, enter, and edit data
– You can design the layout of fields in a
form
Using Forms Unit C
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Planning a Form

Forms are often built to match a
source document to facilitate fast and
accurate data entry.
– Because users enter data directly into
the database, a well designed form is
important
– A control is used to display data in a
form
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Planning a Form (cont.)

Form design considerations.
– Determine purpose of the form
– Determine underlying record source
– Gather source documents
– Determine the best type of control
• Bound controls display data from the
underlying record source
• Unbound controls do not change from
record to record and exist only to clarify
and enhance the form appearance
Using Forms Unit C
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Planning a Form (cont.)
Form Controls
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Planning a Form (cont.)
Bound object frame
Tab control
Text box
Combo box
Label
Option group
Option button
Using Forms Unit C
Toggle button
8
Planning a Form (cont.)
Command button
Check box
Unbound
object frame
List box
Rectangle
Using Forms Unit C
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Creating a Form

Create a form from scratch using the
Form Design View or the Form
wizard.
– The Form Wizard provides guided
steps to create a form
• Select record source, choose overall
layout, style, and title
– Use Form Design View to modify an
existing form object
Using Forms Unit C
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Creating a Form (cont.)
Text box
Labels
Check box
Using Forms Unit C
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Creating a Form (cont.)
Form creation techniques
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Moving and Resizing Controls

Modify the size, location, and
appearance of existing controls in
Form Design View
– Add controls to the form with the
Toolbox toolbar
– The field list contains fields in the
record source
Using Forms Unit C
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Moving and Resizing Controls
(cont.)
Object list box
Field List
button
Toolbox
button
Label
Field list
Vertical ruler
Toolbox
toolbar
Using Forms Unit C
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Moving and Resizing Controls
(cont.)

Sizing handles appear in the corners
and on the edges of selected
controls.
– The mouse pointer shape is important
when working with controls
Form Design View mouse pointers
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Moving and Resizing Controls
(cont.)

When you move a bound control, the
accompanying unbound label moves
with it.
– The field name for the selected control
appears in the Object list box
– Moving and resizing controls requires
concentration and mouse control
Using Forms Unit C
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Modifying Labels

Modify a label control by directly editing it
in Form Design View or the property sheet
for the label.
– The property sheet is a comprehensive listing
of all properties (characteristics) that have
been specified for that control
– Click the label in Form Design View to edit it
or
– Double-click the label to open its property
sheet
Using Forms Unit C
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Modifying Labels (cont.)

The Caption property controls the
text displayed by the label control.
Title bar
identifies the
type of control
Caption
property
Property
sheet
Using Forms Unit C
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Modifying Text Boxes

Text boxes are generally used to
display form underlying fields and are
therefore bound to the field.
– A text box control may also serve as a
calculated control when it stores an
expression
• An expression is a combination of symbols
that calculates results
• Common expressions include calculating
the current date, a grade point average, or
a page number
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Modifying Text Boxes (cont.)

Expressions start with an equal sign
(=).
– A field name is bracketed within an
expression
– A field name must be typed exactly as it
appears in the Table Design View
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Modifying Text Boxes (cont.)
Toolbox toolbar
New text box
New label
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Modifying Tab Order

The tab order is the order in which
the focus (the active control) moves
as you press [Tab] in Form View.
– Change using the Tab Order dialog box
– To change tab sequence, drag the row
selector up or down
Form sections
Using Forms Unit C
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Modifying Tab Order (cont.)
Detail section
Drag the row
selector to
move the field
up or down
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Entering and Editing Records

Forms are used to find, enter, or edit
records in the underlying record
source.
Edit record
symbol
Using Forms Unit C
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Entering and Editing Records
(cont.)

To find a record, click the Find button on
the Form View toolbar.
Find button
Find criteria
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Inserting an Image

An example of a graphic image is a
picture, logo, or clip art.
– Images can be added to bound or
unbound controls
• Bound images are tied to a field defined
with an OLE Object data type
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Inserting an Image (cont.)
Inserted logo
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