ACC2000: How to Use VBA to Set Default Control Properties

ID: Q200593

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

Advanced: Requires expert coding, interoperability, and multiuser skills.

This article shows you how to use Visual Basic for Applications to set properties for default controls on forms and reports.


MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Solution Providers, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/mcsp/
For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp
In order to set properties for default controls, you must use the form's DefaultControl method. Note that, although you can use this method to set properties for default controls, not all of a control's properties are available as default properties.

The following properties apply only to default controls and cannot be set for a control that's already on the form or report:

To programmatically set the properties for text box controls, follow these steps:
  1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.


  2. Create a module and type the following line in the Declarations section if it is not already there:


    3. 
Option Explicit
  3. Type the following procedure in the module:


    4. 
Sub SetDefaultProperties()
   Dim frm As Form
   Dim ctl As Control

   Set frm = CreateForm()
   Set ctl = frm.DefaultControl(acTextBox)
   With ctl
       ' Add a label for new textboxes.
       .AutoLabel = True

       ' Do not include a colon in labels for new textboxes.
       .AddColon = False

       ' Align label text to the right for new textboxes.
       .LabelAlign = 3

       ' Place labels for new textboxes 1/4 inch above
       ' and aligned to the left.
       .LabelX = 1440 * .33
       .LabelY = -1440 * .25

       ' Center text in new textboxes.
       .TextAlign = 2
   End With
   DoCmd.SelectObject acForm, frm.Name, False
   DoCmd.Restore
End Sub
  4. To test this procedure, type the following line in the Immediate window, and then press ENTER:
    SetDefaultProperties
    Note that a new, blank form opens in Design view.


  5. Add a new text box to the form. Note that the label for the new text box does not include a colon, has right aligned text, and appears 1/4 inch above and is left aligned with the text box. Also, note that the text in the new text box is now centered by default.



REFERENCES

For more information about using Visual Basic for Applications to set the properties of default controls, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type "DefaultControl method" in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.

Additional query words: 


Keywords          : kbprg kbdta FmrHowto 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: July 6, 1999