ACC2000: "The Constant You Entered for the Control Type Is Invalid" Error When You Add a Drop-down List Box to a Form or a Report (283208)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2000
This article was previously published under Q283208
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

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

SYMPTOMS

When you click the drop-down list box control in the toolbox in a form or a report, you receive the following error message:
The constant you entered for the control type is invalid. For a list of valid constants you can use to create a control, click Help.
The error message has an OK button and a Help button. If you click the OK button, the error message is displayed again, and you are unable to close the error message. Your only option is to use CTL+ALT+DEL to quit Microsoft Access.

CAUSE

You have customized the form or report toolbox to include the drop-down list box control, which is not a control available for use on a form or a report.

The combo box and the list box are the valid objects of this type available for a form or report object. The drop-down list box control is designed for use on data access pages.

If you try to use the drop-down list box on a form or a report, you will receive the error message listed in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

RESOLUTION

Use a combo box or list box control for forms or reports. Use the drop-down list box control only on data access pages.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

  1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.
  2. In the Database window, open the Employees form in Design view.
  3. If the toolbox is not displayed, click Toolbox on the View menu.
  4. Right-click in the toolbox, and then click Customize on the shortcut menu.
  5. Click the Commands tab, and then click Toolbox under Categories.
  6. Scroll through the list of available commands of the Toolbox category, and then click Dropdown List.
  7. Drag the drop-down list box control to the toolbox.
  8. In the Customize dialog box, click Close.
  9. In Design View of the Employees form, click the drop-down list box control in the toolbox. Note that you receive the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section of this article.

REFERENCES

For more information about the drop-down list box control, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type drop-down list box in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/12/2002
Keywords:kbdta kberrmsg kbprb KB283208
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.