i have a textbox that i don't want left blank. i set the validation rule to is not null, but when i tab past the box nothing happens. i want access to stop the user right then. i tried setting the required to yes, but that waits until the end of the form to tell them. i made a new simple form and set the validation rule to is not null and that one worked. maybe i have some code that is effecting it, but if i do i don't know it.

???????????

you could try this in the On Exit event of your control...

If IsNull([YourControl]) Then
MsgBox "Yous Must make an entry"
Me![YourControl].SetFocus
DoCmd.CancelEvent
End If

al

thanks