Referring to Forms objects using variables

[grahamvb]

Hello Access-Programmers,

I have a simple date stamp that works great in a private sub within a form. (error handling removed for clarity)

Private Sub btnDateStamp_Click()
 
'    UserInit is global variable
 
    Me!Notes.SetFocus
 
    Me!Notes = Chr$(13) & Date & " - " & Time() & " - " & UserInit & _
        " -" & vbCrLf & Me!Notes
 
    Me!Notes.SelStart = (Len(Me!Notes) - (Len(Me!Notes) _
        - Len(Date) - Len(Time) - Len(UserInit) - 9))
 
End Sub

I am rewriting it as Module function that is Called from various forms, to save space. The function receives the parameters varFormName and varControlName. I wish to write the results of the function back to a memo field on the form.

I am stumped at the get go by the need to refer to the Forms controls with a full reference instead of the Me command.

Function DateStamp(varFormName As String, varMemoName As String)
 
'varInitials, varFormName, varMemoName are global variables
 
Forms!varFormName.Controls!varMemoName.SetFocus ' [COLOR=red]Error here[/COLOR]
 
'Me!Notes = Chr$(13) & Date & " - " & Time() & " - " & varInitials & _
'    " -" & vbCrLf & Me!Notes
 
'Me!Notes.SelStart = (Len(Me!Notes) - (Len(Me!Notes) _
'    - Len(Date) - Len(Time) - Len(varInitials) - 9))
 
End Function

I think once I understand how to refer to the forms control's with their full reference, from within the Module's function, the rest will fall into place.

Thanks for any help.

 

[pbaldy]

The SetFocus line isn't needed, but off the top of my head:

Forms(varFormName).Controls(varMemoName).SetFocus

 

[grahamvb]

Thanks, that is exactly what I needed!

(Without the SetFocus there is error 2185, You can't reference a property or method for a control unless the control has the focus.)
Because the user clicks a Date Stamp button next to the memo field, the button has focus when the function executes.

Here is the finished product.
A Module level date stamp function for any memo on any form in your project.

Function DateStamp(varFormName As String, varMemoName As String)
 
'varInitials, varFormName, varMemoName are global variables
Forms(varFormName).Controls(varMemoName).SetFocus
 
    Forms(varFormName).Controls(varMemoName) = Chr$(13) & Date & " - " & Time() & varInitials & _
    " - " & vbCrLf & Forms(varFormName).Controls(varMemoName)
 
    Forms(varFormName).Controls(varMemoName).SelStart = (Len(Forms(varFormName).Controls(varMemoName)) _
    - (Len(Forms(varFormName).Controls(varMemoName)) - Len(Date) - Len(Time) - Len(varInitials) - 8))
 
End Function

 

[pbaldy]

Happy to help! I didn't notice the SelStart in there, and it requires focus, so I stand corrected. Normally it's not needed.