Solved Raised command buttons (6 Viewers)

[Neil Morgan]

It's about 20 years since I've done anything serious with MSAccess so obviously I've forgotten things but more importantly I'm now working on a much later version of software.
I'm sure I used to create command buttons easily around 1999 that actually looked like buttons and not boxes by simply selecting a format option in properties. I've tried all sorts of settings but none give me anything like I used to see. Am I stuck with taking an image of a button and superimposing some text or have I just missed the setting somewhere?

UPDATE: Thanks everyone. It's now fixed by unticking "use themes" in database options.

 

[theDBguy]

Hi Neil,

Welcome to AWF!

Maybe the first step is to check your Form Properties and see if you have Use Theme set to Yes or Enabled.

 

[msbad1959]

When you select the button, look on the format tab under control formatting there's a change shape option

 

[The_Doc_Man]

In more modern versions of Access (I have 2021, for example), there is the option to "Use Windows Themes" that limits the properties you see on the command button properties list. In the newer versions, this option is enabled by default. VBA can still set the "special effect" button property for you but if you want to set it manually from Form Design view, you have to employ one of the options.

From the normal ribbon you can use File >> Options >> Current Database >> Ribbon & Toolbars options and disable "Use Windows Themed Controls on Forms" to bring back the stuff that is hidden when you turn on "Use Windows Theme..." option.

The culprit is that when you use Windows Themes, that includes whatever is the current setting for overall windows operations. In other words, with that option, ALL command buttons on EVERY UTILITY (or at least, every one that uses Windows Themes) will use that theme. That includes Access, Word, Excel, Power Point, and quite a few ordinary Windows utilities.

 

[MajP]

after

But your options depend on what version you have of access.

 

[MajP]

buttons and not boxes by simply selecting a format option in properties.

I think the issue is with "use theme controls". Prior to that you could choose "Special Effect" for a command button of raised, flat, sunken. Although you can do that with most controls still you cannot do that with command buttons that use theme. I might be wrong but that property does not exist. I got no idea why that is. But you can pick a label, rectangle and use it for a button instead. Works pretty much the same. The right box is a rectangle

I asked chat why.
When “Use Windows-themed controls on forms” is enabled in Access, command buttons are rendered using Windows visual styles, which override Access’s older appearance settings—like the Special Effect property. This is why the Special Effect option is grayed out or missing entirely. [access-pro...mers.co.uk], [access-pro...mers.co.uk]

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Why This Happens​

• Windows themes let buttons use current OS styles for consistency and accessibility (e.g., rounded corners, dynamic shading).
• These built-in designs replace manual styling, so properties like Special Effect, BackStyle, BackColor, and Border Color are disabled or ignored. [access-pro...mers.co.uk]

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What You Can Do Instead​

1. Switching this option off in File → Options → Current Database restores the ability to manually set Special Effect and other visual properties for buttons. [access-pro...mers.co.uk], [access-pro...mers.co.uk]​

2. If you prefer to keep themes on:

• Use a rectangle or text box with SpecialEffect = Raised, then overlay a transparent command button to capture clicks—this visually mimics a 3D button without losing theming.
• Or create a custom label or text box with raised styling and use macros or VBA for click behavior. [access-pro...mers.co.uk], [microsoft....arkive.com]

3. Third-party tools like the FMS Enhanced Button give you control over 3D effects, borders, and colors—even when Windows themes are enabled.​

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Bottom Line​

You can’t manually raise a native command button when Access uses Windows-themed controls—because the OS skin is in control. To get back 3D styling, you must either disable theming, simulate it with other controls, or use a custom button control.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

@MajP, button.SpecialEffect (which leads to raised or sunken or shadowed or etc. buttons) exists. It is just that when you are using Windows Themes, that property (in fact, several properties) get suppressed in design view because you have said you wanted to use the current Windows theme. VBA can still set the property.

 

[Mark_]

If you really really really want your control to look like a raised button, you can set your Me.Button.Picture =

 

[Neil Morgan]

Hi Neil,

Welcome to AWF!

Maybe the first step is to check your Form Properties and see if you have Use Theme set to Yes or Enabled.

I can't find a "use theme" option on the form

 

[Neil Morgan]

If you really really really want your control to look like a raised button, you can set your Me.Button.Picture = View attachment 122677

I like your thinking but NOoooooooooo

 

[Neil Morgan]

@MajP, button.SpecialEffect (which leads to raised or sunken or shadowed or etc. buttons) exists. It is just that when you are using Windows Themes, that property (in fact, several properties) get suppressed in design view because you have said you wanted to use the current Windows theme. VBA can still set the property.

I found raised and sunken but the effect was marginal. I can't find themes settings though I do remember something whilst creating the database about 2003 or 2007 or something like that.
I don't want to delve into VBA for this project as a complete novice will be maintaining it. They'll learn easily but VBA can wait a while

 

[LarryE]

It's about 20 years since I've done anything serious with MSAccess so obviously I've forgotten things but more importantly I'm now working on a much later version of software.
I'm sure I used to create command buttons easily around 1999 that actually looked like buttons and not boxes by simply selecting a format option in properties. I've tried all sorts of settings but none give me anything like I used to see. Am I stuck with taking an image of a button and superimposing some text or have I just missed the setting somewhere?

I use buttons like this quite a bit:

with these properties:

Obviously, you can use any color combinations you prefer, but they appear raised. If you change the back style to Transparent, they change to this:

Maybe these will give you some ideas.

 

[isladogs]

I can't find a "use theme" option on the form

Its in Access Options . . .Current Database

Once that is ticked, you can set the Use Theme to Yes or No in the property sheet Format tab for command buttons and some other control types:

It will be Yes by default for all new controls but not for existing controls created before setting the current database option

 

[MajP]

@MajP, button.SpecialEffect (which leads to raised or sunken or shadowed or etc. buttons) exists. It is just that when you are using Windows Themes, that property (in fact, several properties) get suppressed in design view because you have said you wanted to use the current Windows theme. VBA can still set the property.

Do not believe that is a true statement. You cannot set the specialeffect of a button in vba. "Property or method not found". If so, can you provide an example demo?

 

[Mark_]

I like your thinking but NOoooooooooo

Old way of getting the buttons to look "Just Right" was to make image files and use those. Allowed you to "Press" a button and have it stay down (work like a toggle) or change colors or the such. If you are not getting ACCESS to generate the image you want, you can always make your own.

 

[Neil Morgan]

I use buttons like this quite a bit:
View attachment 122678
with these properties:
View attachment 122679
Obviously, you can use any color combinations you prefer, but they appear raised. If you change the back style to Transparent, they change to this:
View attachment 122680
Maybe these will give you some ideas.

Thanks. I'll have a look at this tomorrow. The top buttons are the kind of thing I was looking for.

 

[Neil Morgan]

Its in Access Options . . .Current Database

View attachment 122681

Once that is ticked, you can set the Use Theme to Yes or No in the property sheet Format tab for command buttons and some other control types:

View attachment 122682

It will be Yes by default for all new controls but not for existing controls created before setting the current database option

Thanks. That's fixed it but not quite how you said. I unticked use themes in the database options and I now have nicer buttons.

 

[Neil Morgan]

View attachment 122674
after
View attachment 122675

But your options depend on what version you have of access.

Thanks but I'm helping a complete novice set up this database and they're a complete novice so VBA is currently a step too far. I have fixed it though by unticking use themes in the database options

 

[isladogs]

Thanks. That's fixed it but not quite how you said. I unticked use themes in the database options and I now have nicer buttons.

Fair enough. That's your opinion but its also your database!