Lots of slightly different forms or Code ?

[Oscar_W]

All,

I have a search form (continuous) which filters results from the main table. I can then double click on one of the filtered results to open a new form (single) showing all the fields for that entry. Fine so far.

My question - There are ten different types of operation that can be displayed, all with slightly different relevant fields.

Which of these methods is more efficient:
1. Make ten custom made forms (the correct one displayed depending on the selected operation). - Easy to do but needs ten forms.

or

2. Have one form with all the fields added (only the correct fields made visible by code). - Complicated code.

What do you think ?

 

[FoFa]

Typically I go with "KISS" principle.
But then I go ahead and do whatever I feel like at the moment.
I think the bigger question might be, what am I going to do in a year when they want me to change one or two of these, or add a new one?

 

[Steve R.]

Having one form is much simpler. As I have gotten more proficient with Access, I have been able to make the one form much more adaptable. On one of the databases that I have, I started out with six very similar forms that have now been reduced to one form. I also found that using VBA is much more flexible than macros for this type of task. Virtually all the form coding now is through VBA.

Obviously there are limits to how far you can stretch one form. At a certain point a new form will be needed.

PS: I have started to use unbound fields and assign the values and caption lables through VBA. I had used the approach of using bound fields and making them visible and invisible and this turned out to be a major headache.