Combo Boxes

A Lazy-Loading Combo Box In Only 3 Lines of Code

Combo boxes that pull down too many records can slow down your Access forms. Boost performance with my class module and 3 lines of code.

Combo Boxes

A Wonderful, Magical Class Module

Imagine a single class module you can use for progressive combo box filtering, lazy loading combo boxes, AND multi-column filtering!

Version Control

Learn to Love Text-Based Version Control with "Highlights for Children"

Why use text-based version control for visual objects like forms and reports? I'll tell you why, but first, find all the differences between these two pictures...

Intermediate

Enforcing a Single-Row Table in MS Access and SQL Server

There are many uses for a table with one--and only one--row in it. Using such a table is simpler if you can rely on the sanctity of its one-row-ness.

Intermediate

Office 2019 Runs in 64-bit Mode By Default. Here's What That Means for VBA Developers

Through Office 2016, default installs used the 32-bit version of the software. Now that 64-bit is the default, it's time to bite the bullet and convert your VBA code.

DoEvents

DoEvents vs. Repaint in Microsoft Access

Can you use the Repaint method in place of the DoEvents function? It depends on what you're trying to do. Let's explore with some sample code.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: July 25, 2021

Highlights include unique icon colors for each code file type, plus Standard vs. Professional vs. Ultimate editions, pricing, pre-orders, and early-bird discounts.

Basic

Poor Man's Status Bar in VBA

If you're looking for a quick and dirty way to keep track of a long-running process while developing, this VBA one-liner will do the trick.

DoEvents

How DoEvents Works: The Nitty-Gritty Technical Details

A peek behind the scenes at the inner workings of the DoEvents function.

Commentary

Microsoft and VBA: A Love(less) Story

Whatever happened to the passion Microsoft once had for VBA? From love story to marriage of convenience, this article is one weird ride.

Intermediate

The "Unset" Enum Item

This simple technique is a foolproof way to avoid the sort of logic bug that can live undetected in your codebase for years.

Tools

3 Ways to Run the Best Low-Level Windows Debugging Tool

A surprising number of thorny Access performance issues can be resolved with this venerable tool. Here's how to get started with Process Monitor.

DoEvents

A High-Level Overview of the DoEvents Function Call

Why does calling DoEvents save us from the dreaded "(Not Responding)" treatment? It's all about handling "Windows Messages."

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: July 18, 2021

Highlights include continued work on the GUI plus future support for web forms and IntelliSense in the Debug Console.

DoEvents

When (or Should I Say, How Often) to Call DoEvents

Too few calls to DoEvents, and your app may appear to be "(Not Responding)." Too many calls to DoEvents, and your app will run slow. Let's Goldilocks this thing.

DoEvents

How to Use the DoEvents Function: A Demonstration

The demonstration and downloadable sample code in this article make it easy to understand how DoEvents works.

DoEvents

How to Teach a Six-Year Old About the DoEvents Function

I challenge you to read this article without laughing or learning anything new about the DoEvents function.

Commentary

Don't Write Clever Code

There are two problems with clever code. 1) The next person might not know what you were doing. 2) They might not know if *you* knew what you were doing.

Basic

Split Your Microsoft Access Applications...Or Else

"Ghostbusters" has some important lessons to teach us about Access application development.

DoEvents

Demystifying DoEvents

The DoEvents function may be the single most misunderstood piece of code in the entire VBA language. In this series of articles, I'll try to remedy that.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: July 11, 2021

Highlights include a sneak peek at the yet-to-be-released form editor, a teaser about possible control inheritance, and a future option for version control.

Code Library

How to Safely Hide Controls in Microsoft Access

I *never* set the Visible property of a form control directly. Instead, I use a convenience function so that I don't have to worry about run-time error 2165.

Version Control

A Quick, Free Way to Try Version Control with Microsoft Access

Curious about getting started with version control in Microsoft Access, but don't want to commit a lot of time or money? This could be just the solution for you.

Convenience Functions

Convenience Functions (My Secret Weapon to Create Self-Commenting Code)

How much can you really gain by replacing one line of code with a different, functionally equivalent line of code? Quite a bit, as it turns out.

Code Library

Fix for the error: "You can't hide a control that has the focus" in Microsoft Access

The DefocusIfActive() procedure shifts the focus away from a control so that it may be hidden or disabled.