Subforms or VBA?

[kleky]

Hey folks, it's been a while but I'm back in the development game again

I'd really appreciate your thoughts...

What really is the best way, programming-wise and user experience-wise when presenting records in a form:

1) Use the form with sub-forms to show records. Add new records via a popup form and use recordsets in VBA to allow validating.

2) Use unbound controls on a form and populate with pure VBA recordsets. For data with more than one row use list boxes. A popup form used for adding new or editing etc using VBA.

3) Another I haven't thought of; new or a combination of above?

Help is appreciated

Ian

 

[CJ_London]

It does depend on the application but personally i would use the form with sub-forms to show records. Subform can be a single, continuous or datasheet - depends on requirements - addresses may be single or continuous form whilst invoice lines could be continuous or datasheet for example.

Having a popup for new records is a matter of personal choice, personally I use the same form but change the allow additions/data entry properties as required.

With regards using unbound controls, again a matter of personal choice. Overall it slows development and may perform slower but there are occasions when it is the best way to go

 

[kleky]

Cheers, you're quite right it all depends on many things. I chose to keep it on the form as a record source, including adding a new record, but the VBA for this was far more than creating a separate unbound dialog form.

I'm sure I'll keep learning and refreshing as I go.