Excel: Showing Additional Fields with Custom Data Form

SUMMARY

If you create a database in Microsoft Excel version 2.20 or 3.00 and then display the data form, the form will extend off the window if there are too many fields to fit in the form. The default data form always lists the fields from top to bottom, with each field being as wide as the widest column in the database. To allow a data form containing a large number of fields, or fields that are wide, to fit on one screen, you can create a custom data form.

In a custom data form, you can place the fields in any order, position, or size, within the left side of the data form.

The custom data form can be created using the Dialog Editor shipped with Excel.

Static text can be used to enter labels to the data form. Text edit boxes should be used for fields.

Enter the database field names in the Initial/Result field of each text edit item to identify the database field that relates to that edit box.

You can then copy the dialog from the Dialog Editor, paste it into the worksheet, and name it "Data_Form".

When you choose Form from the Data menu, Excel will display the selected record in your custom form.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information on custom data forms, see pages 365-368 in the "Microsoft Excel User's Guide" version 3.0 manual. If you are using Excel 2.20, see page 293 of the "Microsoft Excel Functions and Macros" version 2.2 manual.