ACC2000: "Invalid Bracketing of Name <Expression Object>" Error (208810)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2000
This article was previously published under Q208810
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

SYMPTOMS

When you run an ApplyFilter, OpenForm, or OpenReport action using a macro or custom function with a Where Condition argument, you may receive an error message such as the following:
Invalid bracketing of name '[Forms]![FormName]![Control.Name]'

CAUSE

The Where Condition argument references a form control containing a dot (.) or an exclamation point (!) in its name.

RESOLUTION

Rename the control and omit the dot or the exclamation point.

MORE INFORMATION

The dot (.) and the exclamation point (!) have a special meaning in Microsoft Access. They are identifier operators you use to refer to objects, controls, collections, or properties as follows: 

Forms![FormName]![ControlName].property

If you include a dot or an exclamation point in a field name or control name, then Access may not be able to interpret the reference when you use it in an expression or in a Where Condition argument.

To prevent reference problems, use letters, numbers, spaces, or the underscore character (_) when you assign object names; do not use punctuation marks except the underscore character.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.
  2. Create the following new macro and save it as Print Label Macro:
          Macro Name          Action
      ------------------------------
      Print Label Macro   OpenReport

      Print Label Macro Actions
      --------------------------------------------------------------
      OpenReport
         Report Name: Customer Labels
         View: Print Preview
         Where Condition: [CustomerID]=Forms![Customers2]![Cust.ID]
  3. Make a copy of the Customers form and saved it as Customers2.
  4. Open the Customers2 form in Design view.
  5. Select the CustomerID control and change its Name property to Cust.ID.
  6. Add a Command Button to the Customers2 form and set the following properties:
          Command Button:
         Name: Button1
         Caption: Print Label
         OnClick: Print Label Macro
  7. View the Customers2 form in Form view.
  8. Click the Print Label button. Note that you receive the error message mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.

REFERENCES

For more information about the exclamation point and dot operators, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type use the exclamation point and dot operators in expressions in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/16/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB208810
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.