1. Developing
Forms and Subforms

2. Objectives Understand the form/subform relationship
Create subforms using the Form Wizard
Create subforms using queries
Modify subforms

3. Objectives Add combo boxes Add option groups Add command buttons
Add ActiveX controls

4. Introduction
A form can be designed to present data in any logical screen arrangement.
Serves as the primary interface for most database users
Forms contain controls such as labels, text boxes, combo boxes, and command buttons to help identify and enter data.
A form with a subform allows you to show a record and its relates records from another object (table or query) at the same time

5. Understanding the Form/Subform Relationship
A subform control is actually a form within a form.
The primary form is called the main form, and it contains the subform control
A subform shows related records that are linked to the single record currently displayed in the main form
The relationship between the main form and the subform is often called a parent/child relationship

6. Understanding the Form/Subform Relationship (cont.)
The link between the main form and the subform is established through a linking field common to both
Form/Subform planning guidelines.
Sketch the layout, identifying which fields belong in the main form and which belong in the subform
Determine whether you need to create separate queries upon which the main form and subform will be based

7. Understanding the Form/Subform Relationship (cont.)
Can use the Form Wizard to collect fields from multiple tables
A recordset defines the fields and records that will appear on the form
The Record Source property is where the recordset of forms are defined
Create the form and subform objects based on appropriate intermediary queries

8. Understanding the Form/Subform Relationship (cont.)
Employees Main form with Attendance Subform

9. Understanding the Form/Subform Relationship (cont.)
Courses Main form with Employee Subform

10. Creating Subforms Using the Form Wizard
A form displays the fields of a table or query in an arrangement that you design.
Based on five general layouts:
Columnar, Tabular, Datasheet, Chart, and PivotTable
Columnar is the most popular layout for a form and Datasheet is the most popular layout for a subform

11. Creating Subforms Using the Form Wizard (cont.)
Employee main form
Attendance Subform

12. Creating Subforms Using the Form Wizard (cont.)
Attendance Subform is selected object
Subform control

13. Creating Subforms Using the Form Wizard (cont.)
Form Wizard layouts

14. Creating Subforms Using Queries
Create a form with a subform separately by basing them on table or query objects, then linking them together in a form/subform relationship.
The advantage of this method makes it easy to change the recordset of the form by modifying the underlying query

15. Creating Subforms Using Queries (cont.)
Form Selector button
Drag fields here from field list
Field list

16. Creating Subforms Using Queries (cont.)
Linking the form and subform.
If the form and subform do not appear to correctly linked, look over the subform’s property sheet
Check the Link child Fields and Link Master Fields properties on the Data tab carefully
These properties tell you which field serves as the link between the main form and the subform

17. Modifying Subforms
In Form View, you can resize, hide, or move subform columns as well as change the font, grid color, or background color.
The controls of both the main form and subform can be modified when working in Design View of the main form

18. Modifying Subforms (cont.)
Double-click the right edge of the field name to resize the column

19. Modifying Subforms (cont.)
Default View property options for subforms

20. Adding Combo Boxes
The List box and Combo box controls provide a list of values from which the user can choose an entry.
A combo box allows the user to make an entry from the keyboard; therefore, it is a “combination” of the list box and text box controls

21. Adding Combo Boxes (cont.)

22. Adding Combo Boxes (cont.)
Choosing between a combo box and a list box.
The list box and combo box controls are very similar
The combo box allows the user to make a unique entry from the keyboard
The combo box uses a drop down list to view value choices

23. Adding Option Groups
An option group is a special type of bound control.
Often used when a limited number of values are available for a field
Place option button controls within the option group to determine the value that is placed in the field
When a user click an option button, the numeric value associated with that option button is entered into the field bound to the option group

24. Adding Option Groups (cont.)
The Option Group Wizard helps guide the process of developing an option group
The Control Source property of the option group identifies the field it will update
The Option Value property of each option button identifies what value will be placed in the field when that option button is clicked

25. Adding Option Groups (cont.)
Option button

26. Adding Option Groups (cont.)
Protecting data.
You can design forms to limit access to certain fields by changing the enabled and locked properties of a control
The Enabled property specifies whether a control can have the focus in Form View
The Locked property specifies whether you can edit data in a control in Form View

27. Adding Command Buttons
A command button is a powerful unbound control used to initiate a common action in Form View.
Some common actions include printing the current record, opening another form, and closing the current form
Often added to the form header or form footer sections
Sections determine where controls appear and print

28. Adding Command Buttons (cont.)
Print Record command button in the Form Header

29. Adding Command Buttons (cont.)
Form Sections

30. Adding ActiveX Controls
An ActiveX control is a control that follows ActiveX standards.
ActiveX Standards are programming standards that were developed by Microsoft
ActiveX standards allow the sharing of software components and functionality across multiple applications

31. Adding ActiveX Controls (cont.)
Calendar control
Spreadsheet control