DB Implementation: MS Access Forms
MS Access Forms Purpose Data entry, editing, & viewing data in tables Forms are user-friendlier to end-users than tables. – “Window through which people see and reach the database” Forms have facilities for data filtering, automation, & validation that complement table and query functionalities. – Display a subset of fields/rows for restricted access & facilitated data use – Add buttons that automate frequently performed actions – Create mechanisms (e.g., macros) that validate & facilitate data entry Type Bound form Bound to an underlying table or query Derives data from and writes to the underlying table Unbound form Not linked (e.g. SwitchBoard) Database Design 2
Access Forms: Views Form View For entering & viewing data Default view for the users Layout View For make changes to the form design while viewing data The most intuitive view to use for form modification Useful for setting the size of controls Can be used for most of the form design changes Design View For performing advanced form design tasks Add a wider variety of controls Edit Text Box control source in the Text Box (instead of in the Property Sheet) Resize form sections (e.g., Form Header, Detail section) Change certain form properties Work with more design tools Provides a more detailed view of form structure e.g., Form sections Database Design 3
Access Forms: Controls Form Controls GUI object that displays data, perform action, enhance UI. Control Types Bound control Source data = a field in a table or query For displaying values that come from fields in the database Unbound control Does not have source data For displaying information, graphics (e.g., label, line, title), and To process user input Calculated control Source data = an expression To display information calculated from underlying table/query or other controls Database Design 4
Form Controls: Basic Text Box Standard control for viewing & editing data Holds the content of an existing table/query field or user input Check Box, Option & Toggle Button Display On/Off, True/False, Yes/No values Check Box = default control for Yes/No field Typically used in an option group to represent one value of choice. Option Group Groups controls together in a frame to allow only one selection in the group. The value of an option group can only be a number, not text. Command Button Execute an action or a set of actions Database Design 5 MS Access 2007: Text Box MS Access 2007: Check Box, Option & Toggle Button MS Access 2007: Command Button
Form Controls: List & Combo Box Display a list of choices to select from. Can connect to existing data or use a fixed set of values List Box Several rows are visible at all times. User is limited to the choices given. – i.e., cannot type in new values Combo Box List is hidden until the drop-down arrow is clicked. User can enter values not in the list. – Text box + List box Database Design 6 MS Access 2007: List Box & Combo Box
Access Forms: Control Properties Format Properties Caption set the value of Label controls Visible show/hide a control Scroll Bars show/hide vertical/horizontal scroll bars of form/subform Record Selectors show/hide the record selector of form/subform Navigation Buttons show/hide the navigation buttons of form/subform Format set the display format of Text Box controls Data Properties Record Source determine whether form/subform is bound or unbound Control Source determine whether a control is bound, unbound, or calculated Default Value, Input Mask, Validation Rule/Text same as Table Field properties Locked Yes to prevent data edit Event Properties Set actions to perform by various event triggers Other Properties Name set the name of a control Pop Up Yes to open a form as a pop-up window (disables menus & toolbars). Modal Yes to open a form as a modal window (disables navigation pane & other windows). Database Design 7
Form Properties: Combo/List Box Format Properties Column Count number of columns in the list Column Widths width of each column separated by semi-colon Column Heads Yes to display the column headings List Rows max. number of rows to display List Width width of the list Data Properties Row Source source of the list data Row Source Type Table/Query, Value List Bound Column the column whose value will be returned/used Limit To List No to allow the user to enter a value not in the list Database Design 8
Form How-To : Creation Create a form using the Form Tool Place all the fields from the underlying data source on the form with a single mouse-click. Begin using the form immediately or modify it in Layout/Design view. 1. In the Navigation Pane, click the data source for the form (i.e., table/query). 2. On the Create tab, in the Forms group, click Form. The form is created with the stacked control layout by default. Click Remove in Control Layout group of the Arrange tab to undo the control layout. Create a form using the Form Wizard Place selected fields from the underlying data source on the form in a controlled fashion. 1. On the Create tab, in the Forms group, click More Forms, and then click Form Wizard. 2. Follow the directions on the pages of the Form Wizard. Create a split form by using the Split Form Tool Display a Form view and a Datasheet view at the same time. use the datasheet portion to quickly locate a record, and then use the form portion to view/edit the record. Create a form using the Multiple Items Tool Create a customizable form that displays multiple records. Create a form using the Blank Form Tool Create a form from scratch by selecting fields from the Field List. Database Design 9
Form How-To : Tools Database Design 10 Layout/Design View Design View
Access Forms : Design Considerations Usability Easy-to-understand Visual guide to the sequence of data entry Appropriate labels, formats, control tip text Easy-to-use Facilitate data entry – Option Group, Check Box, Combo Box, Default Value Logical layout Grouping, Tab Order Consistent look Data Accuracy Error-trapping features Input Masks, Validation Rules Error-reduction features List box, Check box Database Design 11