SubForm in middle of Tab Order

[davidbodhi]

Is it possible to set the Tab Order to move to a subform before all the controls in the Main form have been passed through, and then come back to the Main form where one left off?

I have a form with a client name and a chargable service, a subform with products and, on the main form again, amount tendered.

Logic dictates that one select all items for which one is paying before showing how much is paid.

Right now, I go through the client info, then chargable service, amount tendered, and then anything purchased on the subform. That's kinda bass ackwards.

I'd somehow like to insert the subform's controls into the Tab Order, after chargable service and before amount tendered.

Anyone know if I can do that, if so, how?

 

[Oldsoftboss]

When the form is open in design mode, select Tools, Tab Order from the Menu. Once you have set the order you want, by dragging the field names up or down, be sure to click the OK button, because clicking the close button will close the window without saving your changes.

Dave

 

[Oldsoftboss]

Keep in mind that when the subform gets focus, Access will automatically save the record in the main form so make sure that ALL required fields are entered prior to that point.

Didn't know that !

I thought access would treat the subform similar to any other field on the form.

Thanks Pat

 

[Oldsoftboss]

The parent (record) must exist before you can add any child records, just as in nature

Pity RI isn't enforced in nature. Seems we have a lot of children these days without any sign of the parents.

Dave

 

[davidbodhi]

Thanks, Pat, for that reminder.

I somehow hadn't seen my subform listed in the Tab Order list, otherwise I'd not have asked the question.

But your comment brings up another question:

If the subform is, for example, where items to be purchased are listed, amount tendered, which is on the parent form, won't be filled in yet, when the parent record is saved in order to move to the subform.

Is that a problem? Do I need to tell the parent to resave before moving to a totally new transaction?

I do have a subsequent question, though, to the Tab Order issue. I've got my subforms in the Tab Order where I want them, but pressing Tab while the subform has the focus never brings me back to the parent, only to 'new record' fields in the subform. Is there a keystroke that will bring focus back to the parent form, or does one need to use the mouse?