Continuous form with several layouts?

[JGalletta]

Ok, so before I waste the afternoon trying to accomplish something impossible in Access:

Is it possible to have a continuous form with a control layout that is determined by the value of a control in a current record without changing the layout of the rest of the controls on the other visible records of the continuous form? If you need more clarification, please ask.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

you could do this in the current event - but it will look jerky

there are other options

eg you could have a drop down in the header to select the option that mattered, and then filter the items, and change the display to reflect the drop down selection. I am sure that will look far better.

 

[JGalletta]

This wouldn't change the layout of every instance/record of the continuous form the same way Child.ControlNumber.Height = Value would change the ControlNumber.Height for each record when performed from the 'Parent' form? i.e. Changing this from the current event of the individual record will only change the current record?

Sorry for second guessing, I was just under the impression it worked differently. But that's great news. And yes, the plan is to use a drop down.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

maybe we are at cross purposes

with a continuous form you are designing a single form layout for all the records. so yes, a change to one row affects all rows

the user interface and appearance is something that needs to be considered carefully

 

[JGalletta]

What would be the norm for a situation in which each type of entry requires different parameters?

In my case, I am recording pest scouting records. Each pest requires different information to be recorded based on the formula used to determine that pest's percentage of infestation for a given field. A beetle may require a trap count, whereas a gypsy moth may require to search bushes and record the number of bushes you searched and the number of gypsy moths found during your search. The client (my coworker) would like to be able to have all pests visible during entry time (continuous form) to ensure that nothing has been missed. This is why I am looking to change individual layouts for records of the continuous form, but if there is a standard or normal way to accomplish a task like this, I'd definitely be interested to learn about it. Any ideas?

 

[gemma-the-husky]

OK - you could have a continuous form with the common data.
alongside that have a linked single form

as you move from row to row on the continuous from, the details displayed in the single form change to reflect the specific type, with all the assocaited data.

I would probably design forms for each type, and swap them in using the .sourceobject parameter.

You could change the displayed columns of a continuous form, but I think that would not look good, personally.

If I get time, I will upload an example.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

Ok - I've tried this in a couple of ways.

View attachment fieldtests.zip

open frmAllTests - this works by simply greying out the fields you don't want to use depending on the test type - rather than trying to hide/show columns.

open frmMain - this is more complex and shows a split form as mentioned above



Neither of these deals with the action of adding new field tests yet.


The variant field test types also means the whole design needs some careful consideration, but hopefully these examples will give you a few ideas.

 

[JGalletta]

Thanks a bunch, Dave. This gave me a few ideas that really help. I'll post back with issues/successes after I get things together over here.

 

[JGalletta]

Dave, here's a copy of the implementation with your suggestion (attached). Thanks a bunch, I think this is definitely moving in the right direction. Let me know if you think of anything I should be doing differently if you want, keeping in mind that this is still a work in progress. The main form is frmScoutingRecords. Opening the others will probably give you errors since they rely on the main form.