Stupid Datasheet Question...

[SaraMegan]

Why can't I get my Column Width to stay where I put it once I leave the datasheet view of my form? I'm sure I'm (as usual) missing something quite basic, but I don't know what. They all default to 15.6667. I tried dragging, double-clicking, and typing in the change manually.

Thanks in advance.

--Sara

 

[Shep]

It can be tricky, especially if the datasheet is a subform and even more so if the form is a popup.
In Normal (not Design) view, arrange your column width the way you like and either hit the Save button or choose File, Save.
That should do it.

If it's a popup form, you'll need to set it temporarily to normal so that you can access the Save button.

I do not switch between Form and Datasheet views on any forms so I cannot address the possibility that your Datasheet may not keep it's settings when doing so.

Shep

 

[SaraMegan]

Thanks, but I've tired that, and it didn't work. I tried it again just now, just in case, and it still didn't work. The formatting stays only while i'm there. I can even go to form view and back and it stays, but as soon as I go away and try to come back or go into design view and back, it goes back to the way it was.

It's not a subform or a popup.

Thanks again.

--Sara

 

[Rich]

It's not the Auto Correct "feature" again, is it?

 

[Shep]

Hmm
I tried all the possibilities that I can think of and it works for me in all cases, whether the datasheet is in a subform or not and whether I switch between Datasheet and Form view or not.

Sorry...hopefully someone else can shed some light on your problem.

Shep

 

[SaraMegan]

I don't know... there doesn't seem to be anything relating to that that I can change in the Auto Correct window.

I looked under Options, too. there is a default column width, but I don't want to change that, and there doesn't seem to be a way to disable it...

I'm using Access 97, in case that helps.

--Sara

 

[SaraMegan]

Thanks anyway, Shep. I appreciate your help.

 

[Shep]

Oh, you're welcome. I hope you figure it out.

By the way, it occurred to me that Ctrl-S can be used to save, as well. So, even a popup form can be saved without a bunch of hassle...this may not help you now, but it's a good tip nonetheless.

 

[Rich]

Sometimes you have to save the form two or three times to get it to behave.

 

[Alexandre]

And sacrifice a few bugs at noon to Bill Gates, according to ritual procedures only shared among programmers.

 

[Shep]

Yes, I've noticed that.

It's frustrating until you eventually get into the habit of saving several times, several different ways.

Then it becomes annoying.

 

[vangogh228]

Sara:

I've had the same prolem in the past and discovered the following: If you are working in a form, not a subform, you have to go to the underlying table and expand the widths beyond the minimums of what you need and save the design changes. Then go into the datasheet view of the form and make the adjustments. That should work... as it always has for me.

If you are working in a subform, go through the same process on the underlying table, but make changes to the subform in the subform object itself and not in the subform view in the form once the table has been edited. There may be a third level of editing you have to do in the subform view in the form itself... but just make sure that each underlying object's column widths are at least the minimum of what is needed for the dependent object.

Good luck!

Tom

 

[SaraMegan]

still not working...

Okay, so I've tried making the cells in my table HUGE, and I've tried saving the datasheet changes like 8 times in three different ways before getting out and coming back in, but every time I get the same result. Now look how mad I am! <--accurate pic. of me at this moment.

Anyway, what I *really* don't understand is why I've gotten it to work in the past with another form. The fields are wider on the other form (which uses the same table.) I can't change them any more than I already have, but I have changed them. I find that odd. But I don't know how I did it. Or even if I did anything special or if it is just super ultra moody.

Thanks, everyone for your help. I feel I may just have to cope... i suppose if it's the worst thing that ever happens to me, I'll be okay.

--Sara

 

[Rich]

Have you tried copying the form?

 

[SaraMegan]

do you mean copying it within the database or exporting it to somewhere else?

 

[SaraMegan]

I guess if you meant exporting it, you would have talked about the whole database. No, I haven't tried copying it. I'll do that now.

 

[Rich]

I'm tempted to say both, but within the same db can sometimes be beneficial

 

[SaraMegan]

Well, I just tried that. I made the changes, hit save a few times, hit save as and saved it with another name in my database, left, came back, and nothing.

I think Access hates me. Or maybe I hate Access.

No that's not true, we just don't understand each other. It's a mistake to hate what you don't understand. At least that's what my therapist said.