Make a form like an Internet form

[greaseman]

I'm running Access 97 and the company I work for has no intentions of upgrading. However, plans are afoot to try migrating to SQL Server / ASP / etc. My question: how might I redesign my forms to look more like they might once we migrate to the Internet? My reasoning: if the users begin seeing their forms appear like they might on the Internet, it'll make the transition that much easier for them. Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas and links will be receved with open arms.

Thanks!

 

[yessir]

Your post makes me wonder what they look like now.

One of the good things i find about web based frontends is the ability to taylor and build their appearence to ANY way you want no matter the content.

May I suggest that you start by choosing / using websafe colors only and record each in a doc that you can use later to build the css file for formatting.

ensure that you are developing solely to the standard screen size for your company and design forms around that size on your screen optimizing to that size only.

I find that in access making things 'pretty' is costly in terms of time and space consumed by the act thereof. but web design can easily be expanded and beautified with ease and little cost. so keep that in mind when making any changes.

if you DO end up using ASP as a front end and DO design a css file I suggest using ASPMaker to QUICKLY develop your forms and reports and you can taylor their appearance afterwards. It is a great time saver in terms of the functionality of the front end.

the rest is just gravy....

 

[greaseman]

Currently, my screens have a somewhat standard Access appearance... bland, with combo boxes, radio buttons, etc. (See attached screen shot as an example). All I want to do is give them a tad more "Internet-style" pizzazz, to begin having my users get acclimated to what things might look like on the 'Net. My thought is that if they start seeing and therefore getting used to how things might be appearing, the actual transition to the 'Net will be less traumatic for them, and by association, for me.

I realize that color and "pretty stuff" is somewhat of a pain in Access, but was just looking for advice re: what to do within the current Access 97 environment we have.

Thanks for your reply.... it's appreciated.

 

[yessir]

make the background white

make the buttons images or appear as hyper links

standardize a location (top as bar) for all command driven buttons

arrange in long not wide format (like a piece of paper)

remember to leave room on left for menuing system when doing layout

standardize your colors, takes a while but helps in the end.

~HTH

 

[greaseman]

Thanks! That's the type of info I'm interested in. Much appreciated. I figured there are bunches of others out there who most likely have gone through this sort of thing and like I said, all replies are most appreciated.

Thanks again - have a great one.

 

[Kodo]

Iframes will most likely serve as your subform concept. So look them up and understand how to use them.

 

[greaseman]

And, thank you also! Seems the more I learn, the more I find I have to learn!

 

[daveUK]

Have a look at the following website

http://digilander.libero.it/winses/Software/programmersutilities.html

The page is in Spanish but half way down the page there is a free utility called The Access Web Offline. This looks like what you are trying to achieve.

 

[greaseman]

Thanks for reply

Good morning! Well....I tried linking to the site address you gave, but my company has some sites blocked as "FORBIDDEN" (don't ask!) and that site was one of the off-limits ones I'll see if I can Google the utility you mentioned.

I do appreciate your reply, though. Thanks!