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ms-accessms-access-2010subform

Which type of form to use for creating a Subform in MS-Access 2010 that displays a running progress report to the user?

My form has a button "Process files", and when pressed, nested VBA procedures will be executed and a subform will display a table of ids and their associated results. My question is in order to display a table with mutliple rows in a format that resembles something similar to a datasheet do I create the subform with the Multiple Items Form or the Datasheet form. Some more specifications on the subform are:

Form Properties Name: fsubInstrumentInterfaceLog; Default View: Continuous; Record Selectors: Yes; Navigation Buttons: Yes; Scrollbars: Vertical Header, Detail, Footer Header: Column headings Detail: One row of data fields. fields set to Enabled = Yes; Locked = Yes. Container Properties Insert this form into frmInstrumentInterface with Subform/Subreport control Parent-Child Link: Link Master Fields: BatchID, cboInstrument; Link Child Fields: BatchID, InstrumentName Special Effect: Etched

Solution

  • Here are my thoughts between both styles of continuous forms.

    Datasheets forms

    • Resemble Access tables and Excel spreadsheets.
    • Can be very wide or long with no limit (to my knowledge).
    • Individual rows and columns width and height dimensions are adjustable by user (not limited to designer).
    • Does not contain editable form headers/footers. However, datasheets do allow footer aggregates (Sum, Avg, Count, etc.)
    • Conditional formatting can be applied.
    • All trigger events by field controls can be applied.
    • Limited GUI objects and their events can be integrated (no labels, buttons, or list boxes, etc.). Combo boxes can be added though. But this may not matter if you use a main form.
    • Special effects, back color, border color, and other control designs not allowed.
    • Controls can be locked from user changes.
    • Record selectors highlight entire row like spreadsheet.
    • Navigation controls and scrollbars are enabled.
    • Parent-Child links can be established like any other subform/subreport.

    Multiple item forms

    • Resembles a row by row form view of the data.
    • Limited to 22 inches in width and height.
    • Individual row and columns width and height dimensions are not adjustable by user but limited to designer.
    • Does contain editable form header/footer.
    • Conditional formatting can be applied.
    • All trigger events by field names can be applied.
    • Any GUI objects and their events can be integrated (labels, buttons, drop down fields, etc.). But this may not matter if you use a main form.
    • Special effects, back color, border color, and other control designs are enabled.
    • Controls can be locked from user changes.
    • Record selector limited to arrow at far left of record.
    • Navigation controls and scrollbars are enabled.
    • Parent-Child links can be established like any other subform/subreport.

    Overall, both operate very similarly. For me the choice depends on functionality of your form and subform combination. Multiple item forms provide a more natural user interface that be consistent with other forms. Datasheets can disrupt such a UI but they are easy setup for large volume.