ACC2000: Wide Subform Does Not Scroll to Show Active Control (209190)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2000
This article was previously published under Q209190
Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.


This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and to a Microsoft Access project (.adp).

SYMPTOMS

The insertion point disappears when you use the TAB key to move between the controls on a subform that is wider than the main form window or the screen.

CAUSE

When you move from one control to another on a form, the form updates the screen so that the active control is displayed, and scrolls the window if necessary. However, a subform is a single control on a form, and it remains selected while the insertion point is anywhere within it. The screen does not scroll to show the active control in a subform because the subform itself is considered to be the active control.

NOTE: This behavior does not apply to subforms in Datasheet view.

RESOLUTION

Use the horizontal scroll bar to see the active control on the subform.

If the form's design does not provide scroll bars, it is necessary to set its Scroll Bars property to either Horizontal Only or Both.

To set the Scroll Bars property of the form, follow these steps:

CAUTION: If you follow the steps in this example, you modify the sample database Northwind.mdb. You may want to back up the Northwind.mdb file and follow these steps on a copy of the database.

  1. Start Microsoft Access and open the sample database Northwind.mdb or the sample project NorthwindCS.adp.
  2. In the Database window, under Objects, click Forms, click Orders, and then click Design.
  3. If the property sheet is not already visible, on the View menu, click Properties.
  4. On the property sheet, click the Format tab, click Scroll Bars, and then select Horizontal Only.
  5. Save and close the Orders form.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. Start Microsoft Access and open the sample database Northwind.mdb or the sample project NorthwindCS.adp.
  2. In the Database window, under Objects, click Forms, click Orders Subform, and then click Design.
  3. If the property sheet is not already visible, on the View menu, click Properties.
  4. On the property sheet, click the Format tab, click Default View, and then select Single Form.
  5. Click in the Width box and type 16" or 40 cm.
  6. Drag the Discount text box to the right edge of the form.
  7. Save and close the form.
  8. In the Database window click the Orders form, and then click Design.
  9. Change the Width property of the form to 17" or 43 cm.
  10. Change the Width property of the subform control to 16" or 40 cm.
  11. Save the Orders form, and then view it in Form view.
  12. Press the TAB key to move through the fields on the form.

    Notice that when the insertion point moves from the Quantity field to the Discount field, the insertion point disappears from the screen.

REFERENCES

For more information about using forms and subforms, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type subforms: what they are and how they work in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/29/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB209190
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