Question Switchboards

[Tinarosa]

Hi
I need to develope a Switchboard for my data base. i am having problems in creating sub switchboards. can anyone help?

 

[Rabbie]

Why not just create a form with subforms and use that instead of a switchboard. In your DB options you can set the form to be displayed on start up.

 

[Tinarosa]

Why not just create a form with subforms and use that instead of a switchboard. In your DB options you can set the form to be displayed on start up.

Thanx for the prompt reply. I am new to Accsess and do not quite understand. Is it possible to explain your concept to me as if to a 2 year old.

 

[Rabbie]

Thanx for the prompt reply. I am new to Accsess and do not quite understand. Is it possible to explain your concept to me as if to a 2 year old.

A switchboard is just a special case of a form so you can use a form instead. This means you can use a form instead which gives you extra flexibility. You just need to design what you want

 

[stopher]

I agree with Rabbie. Create a blank form. Then add a buttons using the wizard. It will hold your hand through lots of custom design. If you do a button wrong then just delete it and add a new button.

Chris

 

[Tinarosa]

I agree with Rabbie. Create a blank form. Then add a buttons using the wizard. It will hold your hand through lots of custom design. If you do a button wrong then just delete it and add a new button.

Chris

Chris, when I say I am a begginer I mean just that. I have a a vauge idea of what you are talking about, but the application thereof eludes me.

Could you possible give me an idea where to start and how to proceed.

 

[boblarson]

perhaps this will help:
http://www.accessmvp.com/strive4peace/Access_Basics_Crystal_080113_Chapter_05.pdf

 

[jashgtp]

Tinarosa

create a blank form

under the design view

click the button icon and place it on the form.

Under the wizard go down to form operations on the left side~categories.

then actions...choose open form

click next

then choose which form you want the button to open.

click next

click on text and write what you want to the button to display


And repeat so there is a button to open each desired forms



Now just when you open the database have the navigation page you just created with the butttons to be the first thing access loads

 

[gemma-the-husky]

I would DEFINITELY use the inbuilt switchboard manager

 

[jashgtp]

the OP is a beginner, that has not used access much.

I have only used access for a little while and just making a navigation page as per i descibed is pretty easy and think most people can get it to work

 

[boblarson]

I would DEFINITELY use the inbuilt switchboard manager

And I've hated the switchboard manager from the beginning. It was too limiting for me. But to each his own. But the OP was having trouble with it I believe, hence the other suggestions that popped up.

 

[Rabbie]

the OP is a beginner, that has not used access much.

I have only used access for a little while and just making a navigation page as per i descibed is pretty easy and think most people can get it to work

I agree with jashgtp. I suggested the same thing in #2 and #4. Jashgtp added clear instructions on how to do this.

As Bob says the OP was having issues with switchboard and seemed to want to have a subform.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

ive modified the standard switchboard manager to give slightly changed functionality, (more informative error messages, and validating the user against the menu items) and I have 17 buttons, not 8 - but you dont HAVE to make any changes

i also always edit the switchboard items table directly.

However, if you need a hierarchical multi-page menu - say you have 40 or 50 forms etc, then the inbuilt switchboard automatically deals with this - and this behaviour is quite tricky to achieve directly.

A single page form is fine though, if you can get all your functionality ON a single page.

I suspect the thing to do is to get a mechanism/design that works for you - then just clone it from database to database.

 

[Tinarosa]

ive modified the standard switchboard manager to give slightly changed functionality, (more informative error messages, and validating the user against the menu items) and I have 17 buttons, not 8 - but you dont HAVE to make any changes

i also always edit the switchboard items table directly.

However, if you need a hierarchical multi-page menu - say you have 40 or 50 forms etc, then the inbuilt switchboard automatically deals with this - and this behaviour is quite tricky to achieve directly.

A single page form is fine though, if you can get all your functionality ON a single page.

I suspect the thing to do is to get a mechanism/design that works for you - then just clone it from database to database.

Hi Dave I need a hierarchical multi-page menu. I know it is possible, I even got it right once, but the operation is so complicated - for me, that I can't make it work again.

Is it possible for you to give me a step-by-step rundown on a hierarchical multi-page menu. Thanx

Tiny

 

[gemma-the-husky]

with the MS switchboard

it all works on the switchboard items table


eg you get (sorry - cant get them to line up)

menu item   description  command   argument
1         0     Main Menu Title
1         1     System form           3           frmsystem
1         2     Entry form              3           frmEntry
1         3     Different Menu        1           6

6         0     Sub Menu 6 Title
6         1     Amend Form           3           frmAmend
6         2     Delete form            3           frmDelete
6         8     Return                   1          1

just works like the above

menu 1 is always the start menu
in this case with a title (item 0)
and 3 options

in the options,
command 3 indicates OPEN A FORM
command 4 indicates OPEN A REPORT
command 1 indicates OPEN A MENU

so menu 1,1 and 1,2 open forms
menu 1,3 opens a new menu, menu 6

the new menu (6) also has 3 options, and a title
options 1 and 2 also open forms
option 8 opens menu 1 - ie returns to the previous menu


You dont have to declare all menu lines 1 to 8, but you DO need an item 1 on each menu page.

There is a switchboard design option to enter options -its just easier to do it straight in the table, i find.

in the above if you deleted line 1,3 you would still have menu 6 - just no way of getting at it - as you no longer have a jump to menu 6.

 

[Simon_MT]

I too would opt for a form, create a FORM called Menu. Access 2007 (and back to Access 97), Access Options > Current Database > Display Form put Menu.

On the Menu put buttons and OnClick some action including calling other Menus.

To me the Menu system is just another Form. Here's an example:

http://www.designedlogic.com/ReportsExample04.html

Simon

 

[Tinarosa]

I too would opt for a form, create a FORM called Menu. Access 2007 (and back to Access 97), Access Options > Current Database > Display Form put Menu.

On the Menu put buttons and OnClick some action including calling other Menus.

To me the Menu system is just another Form. Here's an example:

http://www.designedlogic.com/ReportsExample04.html

Simon

Hi Simon

As you may have gathered by now, I am a complete novice at this Access game. I have been convinced that I should use a Form that will act as my Menu. This form needs to display options to Add Data to a table, Edit Data on a table, Display data etc.

At the same time I do not want the operator of the data base to have access to the 'workings' of the data. In other words when adding data the operator must not be able to change any other data already on the base.

These are my requirements complicated by the fact that I am an entry user to Access.

Can you help?

Regards Tiny

 

[Simon_MT]

The Menu solely contains Command Buttons. The same Command Buttons on a Form, so you decide what you want on them. I'm not being blase but the Menu is a Form.

Simon

 

[Tinarosa]

Hi Simon

Good morning

I want to open a form from my desktop but do not want to show the workings of Access in the background.

I want the operator to be unaware and not able to get into Access. How?

 

[Simon_MT]

There is a lot said to table drive facilities, we all know them well, but there are times when you seem to spend all your time polishing the pistol heads when you really have preferred to have arrived at B.

Simon