Wow, how many objects have you got open at any one time, do you have Access running in a maximised window state, if in this state, the form/report you choose to view in design should open on top
The forms that I have worked on have been maximized and yet they jump to the back. Same with reports and forms that are within their own window. This problem only started this last summer.
Sounds like you have forms which are always open and most likely they are demanding the focus, I'd suggest if you want to work on forms/reports, you close all other forms/reports beforehand
"Popup" that must be it. almost everything in the database is set to popup. with the database there are three to four forms open at any given time, all with the popup set to true. so this would explain why when going to design the form in design losses the focus due to the other forms having been set to popup demanding the focus. thank you.