ACC1x: Date/Time Format Not Reflected in List/Combo Box (1.x)

ID: Q94175

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

A list or combo box based on a Date/Time field does not display the Date or Time format assigned to the underlying field. This is particularly noticeable in a list or combo box control on a form.


CAUSE

Microsoft Access does not have a Format property for list or combo boxes even though the underlying table field has a defined Format property.


RESOLUTION

Use the Format() function in an expression in a query to format the data. Then base the list or combo box on the query field instead of the underlying table field.

For example, define a query named QueryTest. Then instead of entering the name of the underlying Time/Date field (Event Date) as the field on the QBE grid, enter this expression: 


   Event Day: Format([event date],"mmmm d"", ""yyyy")


Base the list or combo box on this query field to display Event Date with the desired format.


STATUS

This behavior no longer occurs in Microsoft Access version 2.0.


MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior


  1. Create a new table with the following fields:
    
      Field Name         Data Type
      ----------------------------
      Event ID           Counter
      Event Date         Date/Time


  2. Set the Event Date field's Format property to "mmm d, yyy" (without the quotation marks).


  3. Save the table as Events. View the table in Datasheet view and enter "8/11/92" (without quotation marks) in the Event Date field. Add a few more records with any valid dates. Note that the dates are displayed correctly.


  4. Create a new form based on the Events table. Add the following list box to the form:
    
      Object: List Box
      ----------------------------
      Control Name:    Event ID
      Control Source:  Event ID
      Row Source Type: Table/Query
      Row Source:      Events
      Column Count:    2
      Column Heads:    Yes
      Column Widths:   0;1
      Bound Column:    1


  5. View the form in Form view. Note that the underlying field's Format property is ignored.


Additional query words: controls expressions 


Keywords          : kbusage FmsCmbo 
Version           : 1.0 1.1
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: March 13, 1999