I would be very thankful if somebody resolves my problem.
I'm new in working with Ms Access and I still gain experience on its basic functionality.
I have a table MyItems. 2 of its fields are: ItemCode and ItemName. ItemName is a very long text (Memo type). I have also a query and a form with many fields. The form's record source also consists of many fields. All these things (associated with 1 field) have the same or similar names so I can't differentiate them quite well.
What I want is when I set the value of ItemCode (in a not bound Combobox or Listbox with name ItemCode) the value of ItemName to be displayed in a control - maybe TextBox.
I can display its value in a ListBox (by sql query in its row source), I have no problems with this, I have no problems with managing events, but the text is very long and is cut. I understood that unfortunately ListBoxes don't have multiline property. So maybe the most appropriate control to deal with is a TextBox. And maybe the most appropriate way to display the value is using DLookUp function in the TextBox's control source. But in this sea of items with similar or the same names I just can't deal with its syntax, I was trying again and again for a very long time. So I have 2 questions:
Are the TextBox control and DLookUp function in its control source the best way to extract long texts from a table without binding or there are more suitable controls (which directly work with sql query)?
What is the right syntax of DLookUp? - where exactly are there ' ', " ", [ ], .Value, =, &, where must I write the path to the table or the form and where it would be mistake? If I just write [ItemCode] what it would be associated with - the form record source, the table, the form control or anything else? I would be grateful if someone writes the correct syntax for my case or if he shares a link with plenty of examples for using DLookUp. Those that I found didn't satisfy me.
Either a bound control, or an unbound one. If unbound, you need to load the text with VBA code or with DLookup in the control source. There are no other options.
Personally I'd rather use the AfterUpdate event of ItemCode, and call DLookup there, but that's a matter of preference.
2.
It's not that complicated. You basically have the SELECT, FROM, WHERE parts of an SQL query in the 3 arguments. [] are needed for all identifiers containing spaces or other special characters, and when refering to form controls.
=DLookup("ItemName", "[my Table]", "ItemCode = '" & [ItemCode] & "'")
The single quotes '' are needed if ItemCode is text, not when it is a number.
You could also use doubled (escaped) double quotes, but that is much less readable.
=DLookup("ItemName", "[my Table]", "ItemCode = """ & [ItemCode] & """")
Now where does [ItemCode] come from?
Access first looks for a control on the form with the name ItemCode.
If there isn't one, it looks for a field ItemCode in the form's RecordSource.
These are the only ways [ItemCode] can be evaluated. To avoid confusion, it is recommended to name bound controls with the same name as their source field.
The syntax above is only valid if everything is on the same form. If [ItemCode] is on a different form, or you refer to it from a query, you use
=DLookup("ItemName", "[my Table]", "ItemCode = '" & Forms![my Form]![ItemCode] & "'")
For more complicated cases with subforms, see Refer to Form and Subform properties and controls
And to use it in VBA (in ItemCode_AfterUpdate):
Me!ItemName = DLookup("ItemName", "[my Table]", "ItemCode = '" & Me![ItemCode] & "'")
Related
I have been trying to incorporate a built in macro action (SearchForRecord) in MS Access, however cannot get it to work for the life of me. There is minimal resources available online for this operation, and I've noticed that other people have struggled with the same issue.
I made a test database just to see if I could get it to work in the most basic form. I made a table with 3 columns (ID, Name, Colour) - I turned the table into a tabular form using the Form Wizard. I created a text box with a search button.
I then made a macro operation:
SearchForRecord
Object Type: Form
Object Name (Name of the Form) "frmNewSearch"
Record: First
Where Condition: ="txtIDSearch = '" & [Forms]![frmNewSearch]![txtSearchBox] & "'"
I took the where condition syntax directly from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/client-developer/access/desktop-database-reference/searchforrecord-macro-action
I set the button click event to the Macro that I made.
In theory, I enter the ID into the txtSearchBox and it should bring up the appropriate record within the same frmNewSearch form.
When I try this, nothing happens and it just sits on the first record. I am using MS Access 2016 - is the macro action maybe just not supported in this version?
If there is another way at approaching this it would be much appreciated!
Cheers
Referenced article states:
Note the equal sign (=) at the beginning of the expression, and the
use of single quotation marks (') on either side of the text box
reference:
="Description = '" & Forms![frmCategories]![txtDescription] & "'"
Have to actually type = sign into argument. (Yes, I hear your ranting and cursing, but that's life.)
I presume txtIDSearch is name of textbox. The criteria must use name of field, which you say is ID. If ID is number type, don't use apostrophe delimiters (apostrophe delimiters are used for text fields, # delimiter for date/time, nothing for number type). So result will show like:
Where Condition: = ="ID = " & [Forms]![frmNewSearch]![txtSearchBox]
or since code and controls are on same form, simply:
Where Condition: = ="ID = " & [txtSearchBox]
However, both fail if form is a subform. This is because form is not open independently in Forms collection. A reference incorporating parent form name fails as well. Use VBA code methods.
I have a form in Microsoft Access (2016) where I have a dropdown list named KID. When the dropdown list looses Focus I want to run a query that would look like this:
SELECT max(Cnt)
FROM Table
WHERE KID = ValueOfDropdownList
The result of this query should be usable in a variable in the VB Code of the Event.
Unfortuantly I am restricted to Access at the Moment. Am I even using Access the right way (Choose from dropdown in form -> Event -> SQL Query in VB -> Display in form) or are there better ways to do that?
Thanks for your help in advance!
Firstly I would use the AfterUpdate event of the combo box, otherwise it will fire even if someone just tabs through the control.
Secondly if this is just to set a variable you would probably be better to use a Domain function in this case a DMax()
iVariable = DMax("Cnt","Table","[KID] = " & Me.YourComboControlName )
This assumes KID is a number field. If KID is text you would need to delimit the criteria like this;
iVariable = DMax("Cnt","Table","[KID] = '" & Me.YourComboControlName & "'" )
Lastly if you want this to update as you scroll through records you would need to add the same code to the OnCurrent event of the form. That fires when the record changes.
If it is for display purposes you can't use the same technique on a continuous form if this is setting an Unbound control, you would need to pull this in to the underlying forms recordset.
You can use DMax:
YourVariable = DMax("[Cnt]", "[Table]", "[KID] = " & Me!DropdownListName.Value & "")
In case KID is text, apply quotes:
YourVariable = DMax("[Cnt]", "[Table]", "[KID] = '" & Me!DropdownListName.Value & "'")
FYI there is another option. As the data source of your combo,
use a query returning 2 columns, like select KID, max(cnt) from table1 group by KID.
Then in your text box, retrieve your value using =combo1.columns(1).
For this to work you need to specify in the combo properties that it has 2 columns. In the formula, don't forget that those combo columns are 0 based.
This is the most efficient solution when you need to retrieve several values linked to the combo (and you don't have millions of records).
I am trying to filter a subform with a textbox.
I have a query to show table records in the subform and I have the criteria to filter the table, but when I type in the textbox to filter the sub form it only shows me one record with that name. I need it to show me all the names.
The criteria for my query is below.
Like "*" & [Forms]![frmPlanningForecast]![FETextbox].[Text] & "*"
I then have an OnChange event on the textbox to requery the subform.
As mentioned above I need it to show me all the records matching what i have typed, not just one.
When I use the filter option within the table itself(Dropdown box on the field header) and select the filter from there, it works great. But I need it to be typed into a textbox.
The picture attached will show you what I mean, I have "EQ" typed in the text box but it has only returned 1 record when their are 15 called "EQ" on the table.
First of all add single quotes around Like parameter:
Like "'*" & [Forms]![frmPlanningForecast]![FETextbox] & "*'"
and second - Access has an old bug: if you refer in the query to form field like you did, it doesn't renew the value, used for criteria during Requery, you always will receive the same results. Workaround - replace reference to field by global function, which returns textbox value or use dynamic generating of RecordSource for subform.
Global function example:
Public Function GetFE() As Variable
GetFE = [Forms]![frmPlanningForecast]![FETextbox]
End Function
Place it in any standard VBA module. Then your Like will look like this:
Like "'*" & GetFE() & "*'"
I found an easier method and just wanted to let others know.
Instead of using criteria I used the following vba code.
DoCmd.ApplyFilter , (FETextbox = qryPlannedHours.LeadFE), SubFormPF
In older versions of Access, didn't there used to be an option in the query to use the sum field something like this:
[Formnane].[TextField]
I know that's very simplistic and I don't fully recall how to use it but it was something like that, simple and straight forward if you're not a VB user. Forgive my lack of conviction, I've used it before but it was 20 years ago.
I am very new to VBA. I managed to get my head around Powershell and have worked in SQL for years. But this is the most frustrating language!
I have a Form where a user specifies a source from a combo box.
I then have a macro which should lookup a table and a query based on what the use puts in.
So far i have the table name I want in a variable. I want to pass this to docmd.opentable
But have not figured it out :(
Dim str_DeltaTable As String
str_DeltaTable = DLookup("Table_Delta", "QC_Report_List", "Source = '" & Forms!Main_Form!Source_ComboBox.Text & "'")
DoCmd.OpenTable "str_DeltaTable" 'Some help here would be ace
Thanks from a newb
Rich
Just use the DoCmd.OpenTable str_DeltaTable without the quotes to pass the variable's value, not its literal properly.
Also, your use of .Text is probably going to cause problems because text boxes in Access only have .Text property while they have the focus (contrary to many other systems). Instead use the .Value property, which is always available. It is also the default property, so you can use Forms!Main_Form!Source_ComboBox.Value or just Forms!Main_Form!Source_ComboBox.
I want to create a query which takes field parameters through a form. For this, I created a form with combo boxes and drop down options to select the values from, this populates a text value in the respective invisible text fields whose default value I have set to null. Now in my query I give criteria for column as iif(isNull([Forms]![Conditions]![text_on_form]), [column_in_table], [Forms]![Conditions]![text_on_form]). I have done this for all the columns on which the where clause comes from the form. I have tried running this. The results seem to be random. It worked for three columns, but when I played around with it, it was giving me empty result set. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong? Or if there is a better way to implement query by form in Access.
It sounds like you are trying to create dynamic SQL. Here is the method in vba I generally prefer:
Dim SQL As String
SQL = "SELECT tblName.* From tblName WHERE (1=1)"
If Not IsNull(Me.combo1) Then
SQL = SQL & " And ([Field1] Like ""*" & Me.combo1 & "*"")" ' I am using like statements here, but that is because this is a search tool.
End If
If Not IsNull(Me.combo2) Then
SQL = SQL & " And ([Feild2] Like ""*" & Me.combo2 & "*"")"
End If
Docmd.RunSQL SQL
End Sub
Basically, add on to the SQL statement only if the user has put a value into your text box/ combo box or whatever. The "Where (1=1)" is to account for a situation where all fields are null.
Play with this concept to create your SQL statements. Avoid using invisible text boxes to store data, it generally means you are doing something wrong and will get mixed results (someone else on this forum can explain better than me why that is).
Just use the Like operator. Put this in your criteria field in the query Like "\*" & Forms![Form_Name]![Form_Field] & "\*" -- This tells it to get anything if the field is blank (or null) and matches whatever you have in the field. This may not be what you want. It should be noted that it will return anything with the text string in it. For example: if you type "the" it will return tether, these, theses, thermometer (anything with the word "the" in it. It works best for multi word or longer strings that can be matched more accurately, however it works for a search query because there is usually a set of human eyes looking for the result and erroneous results is not a huge problem.