pop up box for every field in a form??

[grifilken]

hi all,

I am trying to create a database for a small PC repair shop that I work for. there is going to be a customer sign in form for the customer to enter their information in when they walk in with a pc that needs repaired. then there will be a form for them to describe what needs worked on with their pc.

there are a few things I am getting hung up on. first, i need to know if its possible for every field on the form to have a pop up box that when you enter data and click the next button it will drop entered text in correct field and pull up a pop up box for the next field .

i.e... first name (customer enters first name and clicks next button, then their name is dropped in first name field and the "last name" pop up box pops up...keep entering data this way until the entire form is filled out)

thank you so much for your help in advance...

 

[grifilken]

just so everyone is on the same page with me, this is the first complex database i have ever created. I've done a lot of researching and a lot of trial and error, but i am far from being considered a programmer.

 

[David R]

Rather than a different popup for every field, you will make more efficient use of Access if you just give them a Bound form opened in Data Entry mode (new entries only, they can't review other customers' data or change their data!). If you want to get fancy you can lock each field after they are done entering it, but in my experience customers don't always progress logically and efficiently through a form. Make liberal use of dropdowns and error checking!

Obviously this Customer version of your database will need to have everything else in Access hidden/shut down/locked away. The good news is it will be very small and lightweight.

Your Operations version will let your techs update cases, run reports, etc. Make sure you split into a front end that they enter data on, and a backend that stores the data, otherwise you risk easy and frequent data corruption. The customer front end will look at the same data (a portion of it), but with different permissions for clumsy customer fingers.

Post back if you have more specific questions, but I've given you about 23 terms to search the forums for and that should keep you busy for a while.

 

[grifilken]

i get what you're saying, and that was my original design, but my boss has said that the single form with all data fields on one form is not what he wants. he wants it to pop up one field at a time. apparently he thinks that the general customer is not capable of filling out a form on their own and wants the database to hold their hand the entire way thru.

 

[David R]

He's probably right, but it's going to be a bigtime hassle for you. At that point you'd almost be better working in a webform and PHP than Access.

Okay, next theory. Can you do a bound form with all fields but HIGHLIGHT IN BRIGHT YELLOW the field they're supposed to be filling out now? You can even use VBA to hide/shown all those fields in order as if they were popup, but not sure where your VBA skills are for something like that.

 

[grifilken]

he would probably be ok with the highlight idea. my vba skills are next to none. i have been meeking my way thru using macros, prior to this database i created one other simple serial number database for new PCs that we build, but that's it for database design and me. im trying to learn, but for every question i answer 50 more pop up!! :banghead:

 

[David R]

I'm not sure if it will be encouraging to say that the questions will keep coming as you keep finding answers, but it's true. I've been at this about 12 years now... part of the reason I help here is it keeps me learning!

Do you have your tables laid out already? You'd hate to have to redo the whole form because your tables were put together badly... but you can test this highlight theory pretty easily, and maybe even show it to your boss as a proof-of-concept.

Draw up a simple form based on your main table. Add a couple of fields, and arrange them how you like in Design View (or Layout View, but I find Design View much more flexible). Highlight all of your Fields (not the labels, just the fields) and go to Form Design Tools > Format > Conditional Formatting on the ribbon. New Rule, Format only cells where the: Field has Focus. Set the background/foreground color as you like, then click OK twice and view your form. you should be able to click around and get a yellow highlight showing the user where they are. Later you can add more logic and error checking, but we want your boss on board with this method first before you spend a ton of work.