automatically open form in filter by form

[truckdispatch]

my co-worker and i have been designing a database to help the dispatchers at the trucking company where we work. we started out not knowing the slightest thing about database, but we've learned A LOT through trial and error.

problem: we've created buttons on switchboards that will automatically lead to forms where the dispatcher can search for dispatch entries ( but she can't edit, add, or delete the info she has). they're like little search engines for the info she inputs. the thing that is annoying is that everytime she opens one of these "search" forms, she still must click the "filter by form" button to enter & look for things. Is there any way we can get the form to automatically pop up in filterbyform mode?..... we're trying to limit the steps she needs to take to search for things as much as possible

please reply to adriana@texasdrayage.com if you can! we appreciate all your help

 

[truckdispatch]

one more thing i forgot to mention...most of the different "wizards" on our access don't work, so a lot of the things we've done were pretty tricky. who knows why? but maybe that will affect your responses

 

[jfgambit]

There is a sample db at the following link...

It should give you a good idea where to start:

SearchDB

Let me know if you need help getting it to work for you.

 

[truckdispatch]

hmm...the link went through to JF consulting ok, but the downloaded file doesn't want to work

 

[truckdispatch]

Wow, I just got the download example to work. It looks really awesome! I'm afraid things look a bit over my head, though. I guess I'll leave well enough alone. thanks for the advice, though! i appreciate it

 

[jfgambit]

I would not consider "giving up"...

What part of the db are you having trouble with?

 

[truckdispatch]

I think a lot of it is that the wizards don't work on our Access ( i guess someone made some sort of mistake when installing), and me and my coworker don't know the first thing about writing expressions/codes/macros, or even what some of those things are for. what we have made of our db so far has been with the FEW wizards that DO work, or by trial and error. by that alone, i think we've done a pretty nifty job, but i know some things are definitely over our heads. i just want to figure out a way so that when she (our dispatcher) opens up a certain form we've created,a form that is limited to no edits/deletes/adds (and placed on the switchboard), it goes further than just opening in form view, but automatically goes to "filter by form" view. Just so that when she opens up our little "search" button, she doesn't have to go on, and click the filter by form every time

i don't know if i'm making any sense, or if how I want it to work is even possible! i apologize, i don't know how better to describe it. i'm definitely a newbie. i've searched for help at a couple of different websites, but those sites are more geared to access experts

 

[Sharky II]

i would also like to know if it's possible to opena form in filter by form mode directly?

or do i have to dick about with unbound fields etc?

cheers

 

[Sharky II]

is it possible to do something like on click me.FilterOn = true

or something that simple? i need to either open the form in filter mode or have a command button to open that form in filter mode.

or create a whole new form with unbound fields etc

 

[Sharky II]

got it

Private Sub <Name of your button>_Click()
DoCmd.RunCommand acCmdFilterByForm
DoCmd.RunCommand acCmdClearGrid
End Sub

but then is there a way of having an apply filter button on the filtered form? this simply brings up the filter (perfect) but does not give you a button to apply it - you still have to either right click the form or use the toolbar.

if you create an apply filter button using the wizard, then this button is 'greyed out' when the filter form comes on, so it's no use.

any help guys? i'm half way there!!!

cheers

 

[Sharky II]

puh-leeeeeeeease

 

[Sharky II]

oh and how do you get rid of the filter once you've done whatever it is that you wanted to do with teh filtered record(s)?

i mean using buttons as opposed to the toolbar

when i searched for past posts on this topic one guy said:

"basically, we opened another form and ran the filter form command (using DoCmd.) at the same time.

On the pop up form, we had the filter form controls - such as run it, clear it, exit and restore etc.
"

is there any other way to doing it than this, and if not, can someone lend me a hand cos i am having troubles getting it to work myself like this

Edd

 

[rbauer65]

I created a Macro named AutoExec to open my form in FilterByForm mode. Has to be named AutoExec so it runs when you open the database. Here's the macro.

RunMenuCommand
Command FilterByForm

RunMenuCommand
Command ToggleFilter

StopMacro


I hope this helps.
Roger