Conditional formatting in Access 97

[banjo ben]

Hi, I am trying to conditional format controls in a continuous form in Access97. To my knowledge the conditional formatting function didn't get introduced until later versions of access. I have managed a kind of workaround by using layered text boxes, each formated differently, and using a query to only display the text if certain criteria is met, but this means I would have to have multiple text boxes for each field on my form, and I would only be able to change the text color, font, size etc... not the background colour.

Is anybody aware of any other workarounds that doesn't need extra librarys being installed, as I have a big problem with these when I roll out the applications to other user's pc's.

Thanks in advance
Banjo

 

[gemma-the-husky]

I don't think you can do this in A97. I really like A97, and the underlying functionality still works perfectly - and A97 is also less resource-hungry than later versions.

However, gradually clients move to later versions. A97 won't run under W7 etc etc. And there are a few features like conditional formatting that ARE useful.

I think it's just a matter of upgrading at some point.

It doesn't have to cost so much, as you can give users run time versions of databases - although they do lose some functions with that.

 

[ChrisO]

Changing the background colour in Access 97 is certainly possible; it largely depends on exactly what you want.

Best thing would be for you upload a small demo of what you have. You probably can’t do that until you have a post count greater than 10 but that should not be too difficult.

Chris.

 

[banjo ben]

Thanks for the replies. Unfortunately, upgrading to a later version is not an option for me due to restrictions at my place of work. It is either 97, or no Access at all.

 

[banjo ben]

Chris, you seem to be correct in that I can't upload an example at the moment. At least I couldn't find a link that would allow me to do that.

 

[banjo ben]

Chris, there should be a very simple database (one table and one form) attached. What I would like it to be able to change the detail background colour or the textbox background colour depending on the value of a certain field. I agree with Dave that it can't be done using conditional formatting, but if you know another way I would be most grateful.

Ben

 

[ChrisO]

See how the attachment goes.

Chris

 

[gemma-the-husky]

See how the attachment goes.

Chris

chris - very impressive.

 

[ChrisO]

I didn’t invent that one, Dave, it goes back a long way.

http://www.mvps.org/access/forms/frm0024.htm

It could be said, with some justification, that conditional formatting was invented in Access 97 or earlier.
Microsoft just didn’t get around to formalizing it until Access 2000 by putting it on a menu and hiding the details.

Chris.

 

[banjo ben]

Great, I really didn't think it would be possible. It wasn't quite what I wanted, and it seems as if it is limited to the nº records you want to display, but you got me onto the right track. I modified it slightly so that I have one textbox for each colour, rather than one textbox for each record, and included the "String(80,219)" in a kind of crosstab query. I think this will work fine for me as I will only ever have 3 colours, but could have more records. Check out the attachment if you like.

Thanks for all the help.

Ben

 

[ChrisO]

That method is not limited by the number of records but rather by the number of conditions required.

The number of conditions, technically speaking, is limited by the number of text boxes we can have on a form. That would mean around 750 conditions and that in turn would become a bit meaningless because people would not be able to remember 750 meanings for the colours.

Glad you got it working to your satisfaction.

Chris.