Scroll bars in a text box

[anb001]

I have a text box on a form, where the Scroll bars properties has been set to 'vertical'. My problem is that the scroll bars only show up, when the text box has focus. If I move focus to another control, the scroll bars disappear. Furthermore, the behavior is the same, no matter whether the text box is empty or populated with a lot of text.

What should I do??
Thanks.

 

[Rich]

What would be the point of having them there when the textbox doesn't have the focus?

 

[ColinEssex]

To be honest, I can't see what the problem is

If scrollbars are selected then they show when the field has the focus.

Col

 

[anb001]

The text boxes on this specific form are all 'view only', i.e. locked, for some users. The txt box in question is for 'remarks'. If there is a lot of text in this txt box, then the user can't see how much, unless the scroll bars are active when the form loads.

 

[ColinEssex]

If the user could see how much text there was, then they wouldn't need the scrollbars. . . . . .would they?

Col

 

[anb001]

No, but the textbox has a certain size, which can't/shouldn't be changed. As the user can't see how much text there is, then he/she would need to select that textbox each time, and scroll down to check. It is a little bit like when surfing on the internet. When the vertical scroll bars in the browser are in-active, you know that there is nothing more then what you see, but in case they are active, you know you should scroll down in order to see all.

 

[Mile-O]

Why would it matter to them how much text was in the textbox?

 

[ColinEssex]

Ok, what I suggest then is firstly you need to see how many characters (including spaces) there are before the text "disappears" below the textBox.

Then OnLoad of the form put some code using the Len() function to switch the scrollbars on if Len() > your count. The field scrollbar properties should be set to None.

Others may have a better idea.

Col

 

[anb001]

No, but the textbox has a certain size, which can't/shouldn't be changed. As the user can't see how much text there is, then he/she would need to select that textbox each time, and scroll down to check. It is a little bit like when surfing on the internet. When the vertical scroll bars in the browser are in-active, you know that there is nothing more then what you see, but in case they are active, you know you should scroll down in order to see all.

 

[Mile-O]

No, but the textbox has a certain size, which can't/shouldn't be changed.

They don't change unless you have CanGrow/CanShrink set.

 

[Rich]

They don't change unless you have CanGrow/CanShrink set.

err, that method only applies when printing, if you want users to be able to view all the text why not use the built in Zoom box?

 

[Mile-O]

err, that method only applies when printing

...Like I need to print forms and have ever used those properties.

 

[PierreR]

You experts are being difficult here. Obviously one can see how much text there is in the text box by the size of the thingy in the scroll-bar. Should we not be quicker to accommodate the quirky needs of the human interface, instead of being so quick to question it?

I mean look at the combined heavyweight number of posts against the poor rookie, with only 8.

 

[ColinEssex]

You experts are being difficult here. Obviously one can see how much text there is in the text box by the size of the thingy in the scroll-bar. Should we not be quicker to accommodate the quirky needs of the human interface, instead of being so quick to question it?

I mean look at the combined heavyweight number of posts against the poor rookie, with only 8.

excuse me , I gave a reasonable method of doing what the user wanted.

Depending on the size of the textBox depends on the number of characters on view, therefore when setting it up, the user has to manually count the maximum number of characters on view to then programatically work out (by using the LEN() function) if there are any characters "hidden" - if so then "switch on" the scrollbars.

The reason I questioned it was because I couldn't really see the need for it. It would be more than likely that a sentence in the TextBox would be cut-off midway anyway thus indicating that there was more and therefore use the scrollbar.

Col

 

[PierreR]

Colin,

Thanks for the LEN function info. It's going into my info database, after I research it. And I will add it to this discussion too, even if it is going to take me about 100 times longer than it would have someone with 10,000+ posts.

It would be more than likely that a sentence in the TextBox would be cut-off midway anyway thus indicating that there was more and therefore use the scrollbar.

I assume I don't carry much weight myself, with 88 posts, but I must answer that.

Anb001 is not specifically interested that the user see if there IS any MORE information than the text box can hold. Anb001 wants the user to see HOW MUCH more, even when the focus is not on the textbox.

Just a little detail to ease the human alienation in a very strange world.

Pierre.

 

[ColinEssex]

Perhaps ANB001 could make the TextBox big enough to see all the 255 (max) characters thus avoiding the need for scrollbars.

The number of posts does not necessarily indicate ones Access ability, speaking for myself, I think its been documented elsewhere that a high percentage of my posts have been in the Watercooler there are however members here with higher post counts than me who are very expert in Access and their advice and comments regarding Access problems is extremely helpful and second to none, we are very lucky to have these people here and not on other forums.

One objective of these forums is to get Access users to try and have a bash at things first. Its not always a good plan to have it all spelt out nicely, very little may be learnt. But if, after a prompt, the user can achieve a result all on their own then they feel much better and have a sense of real achievement. But if the user just can't do it then just say so, none of the main posters will think any less of people, in fact they'll think more because they had a good go first.

If you need help with the LEN() function then say so.

Col

 

[Mile-O]

I assume I don't carry much weight myself, with 88 posts

Post count means nothing - well, maybe it means those with a lower count have more of a life tha you.

 

[BarryMK]

Post count means nothing - well, maybe it means those with a lower count have more of a life tha you.

Call this living???

 

[anb001]

Appreciate all your help so far. I haven't got my problems solved, though. Perhaps I should have mentioned a little bit about the size of this txt box, and the table that populates it. The specific field in the table, is of the "memo" type. Furthermore, the txt box is what equals 5 lines in height, with the font I use. I have thought about making the txt box bigger, but it should be quite big, if it were to shown all possible text.

Finally, I have tried the LEN method, but this still only works when the txt box has the focus, which is not what I'm looking for.

I hope someone has something I can use.
Thanks.

 

[WayneRyan]

How about putting a little tiny textbox in the lower right-hand corner of
the textbox? Set its DefaultValue to "More Text". Set Enabled = False.

Using the OnCurrent event of the form:

If Len(Me.TheTextBox) > HowManyCharactersFit Then
   Me.LittleTinyTextBox.Visible = True
Else
   Me.LittleTinyTextBox.Visible = False
End If

Use the GotFocus event of the textbox to Set Me.LittleTinyTextBox.Visible = False

Gotta love this forum,
Wayne