Step Six - Creating Forms

There are two ways to enter information in to the database. There is the Datasheet view in the Table area. With this option, you can see several records at one time, depending on the size of the screen. The other option is using a Form. Forms allow users to enter and view one record at a time. This is usually less confusing for the user as there is not as much clutter on the screen to confuse them. The forms can be customized by changing everything from the type of font to the colors used.


Creating the Form

To create a new form, click the Forms tab in the main window and click the New button.

The New Form window will appear:

We are going to use the Form Wizard. Click the Form Wizardin the list. Click the down arrow and select "tblProducts" from the list. Click the OK button.

On the next screen click the >> to add all the fields to your form then click Next.

On the next screen click Columnar then Next

On the next choose any layout you like(I've choosen Standard) then click Finish.

Your form should look similar to this:


Form DesignView

Click the Design View button so you can modify your forms design:

The gray background area is the work area where objects will be placed. The toolbar below the menu shows list of different options to select from. The Toolbox is a display of the different types of objects that can be placed on the background. If you can't see your tool box click View>> Toolbox.


Adding a Label Object

A label object is the equivalent to a title. It a static object, so it does not change as you go from one record to the next. Since we are dealing with Farmer Joe's Market, let's add in a title for it on our form.

First we need to make room in the header section . Place the curser on the line between form header and detail and click and hold the mouse down while dragging the curser down a few centimetres

  1. Then In the Toolbox, click the button. The mouse pointer will change to .
  2. Click once in the form header section. A blinking cursor will appear.
  3. Type in "Farmer Joe's Market"
  4. Press the Return key or click once anywhere else on the form.

We now have a label that looks like this:


Click the form View button to see your form with the title in the header section.


Moving in the Form View

Here is a list of the different ways to move around in the Form View.

Item Description
First record in the table.
Previous record in the table.
Next record in the table.
Last record in the table.
First record in the table.
Ctrl - Home First record in the table.
Ctrl - End Last record in the table.
Page Up Previous record in the table.
Page Down Next record in the table.
Tab Go to the next field to the right.
Shift - Tab Go to the next field to the left.
Arrow keys Goes to the field in which ever direction you press. If you are in the last field on form, by pressing the down or right arrow will go to next record.
Home First field on the form.
End Last field on the form.

To return to the Design window, click the Design button or select View, Design View from the menu.


Saving the Form

  1. Click the Save button or select File, Save from the menu.
  2. The Save As window appears:

    Type in "frmProductList".

  3. Click the OK button.

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edited by U.A.C Media