Form Design - No Longer Set

Use Hidden Controls for More Reliable Code

Former Access MVP Ben Clothier drops some sage advice to help us avoid potential problems with our form code-behind modules.

Form Design

Size to Fit: Text Box Edition

You've likely used the Size to Fit command on labels and command buttons, but did you know it can also be used for text boxes, combo boxes, and list boxes?

Combo Boxes

ComboBox NotInList Event: Revisited

We improve our NotInList event code with a workaround for the "text you entered isn't an item in the list" error message via the little-known Form Error event handler.

Combo Boxes

Using the NotInList Event in Microsoft Access to Dynamically Update Combo Boxes

The Microsoft Access combo box's NotInList event lets you provide "just-in-time" features for building a simple and intuitive user experience.

Form Design

Using Emoji as Button "Images" in Access

One easy way to make your Access applications appear more modern is to embed emoji in the command button text.

Code Library

CascadeForm(): Prevent Multi-Instance Forms From Hiding Behind Each Other

The CascadeForm() function introduces the cascading-window effect from the Windows operating system to Microsoft Access.

Form Design

Avoid Double Negatives for a Better User Experience

Double negatives are highly effective--if your goal is to introduce confusion--as my Beast Barracks story shows. They have no place in a user interface, though.

Form Design

Accessible Design Resources from Goldman Sachs

Building accessibility into your applications improves the user experience for all users, not just those that are visually impaired.

Form Design

Reducing Cognitive Load: The Benefits of Consistent UI Design

Reducing cognitive load through consistent UI design offers numerous benefits for both users and developers.

Form Design

The Hard Truth About Message Boxes in Microsoft Access

Just because you know it's true, that doesn't make it any less frustrating.

Form Design

Setting Column-Specific Colors in Microsoft Access List Boxes and Combo Boxes

How to use the Format property of a query or table field to set custom colors for columns in a Microsoft Access list box or combo box control.

Form Design

5 Ways to Build Consistent Form User Interfaces in Microsoft Access

Make your Access application feel more professional with a consistent user interface design. Form templates make it easy.

Code Library

ObscureInfo(): Hide Sensitive Information in Access Form Controls

Avoid over-the-shoulder attacks and prevent accidental disclosures in your Microsoft Access forms with this easy-to-implement function.

Form Design

Triple-State Modern On/Off Switch in Access

Yes, No, or I Don't Know (or Don't Care). With this updated design, you can offer your users a third option with your modern on/off switches.

Form Design

Modern On/Off Button in Access

Leave those boring checkboxes behind and move into the 21st century with these modern on-off switches for Microsoft Access. Very little code required!

Form Design

Choosing the Right Font

Fonts fall into six main categories. There is no one "best" type of font. Rather, each type serves different purposes.

Form Design

Abbreviations in Lookup Tables

One way to boost the signal-to-noise ratio on your continuous forms is to use abbreviations rather than full descriptions for lookup tables.

Form Design

5 Ways to Set a Default Font on Microsoft Access Forms

If you don't like the default fonts in MS Access, you don't have to change them one control at a time. Here are 5 techniques to simplify the task.

Form Design

Overlapping Windows vs. Tabbed Documents

Access gives you two options for displaying forms and report objects: windows or tabs. Read on for the advantages of each and which one I prefer.

Combo Boxes

Dealing with Inactive Items in a Combo Box Row Source

There are many ways to deal with inactive RowSource items in combo boxes. Here's a no-code technique that I find myself coming back to time and again.

Form Design

Add a Custom Right-Click Menu to an Access Control

It's easier than you might think to add a right-click menu to a control on your Access form.

Form Design

Tabbed Master-Detail Form

The tabbed master-detail form is the heart of my Access applications. The first tab has record details, while the other tabs provide subforms for one-to-many relationships.

Form Design

Modern Message Boxes in Access

These modern message boxes from Kevin Bell will help set your Access applications apart from the crowd.

Form Design

IslaDogs: Getting Creative with the Access Application Interface

This one-hour video from Colin Riddington (aka IslaDogs) is jam-packed with API-based Access user interface hacks.

Form Design

Two-Way Many-to-Many Form

Presenting many-to-many relationships intuitively is tricky. I use this style of form when the two sides of the relationship have a small number of records.