ACC2000: How to Use Automation to Modify MS Graph Object

ID: Q202147

The information in this article applies to:
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

This article applies only to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb).


SUMMARY

This article describes how to use Automation to add or remove a title of a graph and how to hide or show a legend for a graph.


MORE INFORMATION

CAUTION: Following the steps in this example will modify the sample database Northwind.mdb. You may want to back up the Northwind.mdb file and perform these steps on a copy of the database.

NOTE: To use the Visual Basic for Applications procedures in this article, you must have a reference to Microsoft Graph 9.0 Object Library.

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

Creating a Sample Graph

To be able to use the procedures to add or to remove a title or to hide or to show a legend, first create the following form:
  1. In the Database window, click Forms under Objects.


  2. Click the New button on the Database Window toolbar.


  3. Click the Chart Wizard, and then select the Category Sales for 1997 query. Click OK.


  4. Move both fields from the Available Fields list to the Fields For Chart list, and then click Next.


  5. Click Finish.


  6. On the View menu, click Design View.


  7. Right-click the graph, click Properties, and then click the All tab.


  8. Change the Name property to Graph1.


  9. Close the property sheet.


  10. Save the form with the name GraphTest, and then close it.


Adding or Removing a Graph's Title

The following example demonstrates how to use Automation to add or remove a graph's title.
  1. Open the GraphTest form in Design view.


  2. On the View menu, click Properties, and then click the All tab.


  3. Change the DataEntry property of the form to Yes.


  4. Add the following command button to the form:


    5. 
   Command Button
   --------------
   Name: Title
   Caption: Toggle Caption
  5. Set the OnClick property of the Toggle Caption command button to the following event procedure:


    6. 
Sub Title_Click()

   '-------------------------------------------------------
   ' Show or hide the title by using the Not Operator to
   ' reverse the state of the HasTitle property
   '-------------------------------------------------------

   Me!Graph1.Hastitle = Not Me!Graph1.Hastitle

   ' If the graph has a title, set the Caption to something
   If Me!Graph1.Hastitle Then
      Me!Graph1.ChartTitle.Text = "Sample Title"
   End If

End Sub
  6. Add the following line to the Declarations section of the Sales By Product form's form module if it's not already there:


    7. 
Option Explicit
  7. On the File menu, click Close and Return to Microsoft Access.


  8. On the View menu, click Form View, and then click the Toggle Caption button. Note that the graph's title either appears or disappears.


Hiding or Showing a Graph's Legend

The following example demonstrates how to hide or to show a legend on a graph.
  1. Open the GraphTest form in Design view.


  2. Add a command button with the following properties to the form:


    3. 
   Command Button
   ----------------------
   Name: Legend
   Caption: Toggle Legend
  3. Set the OnClick property of the Toggle Legend command button to the following event procedure:


    4. 
Sub Legend_Click ()

   '-----------------------------------------------------------
   ' If the legend is not present, show it; otherwise, hide it.
   ' Use the Not Operator to reverse the state of the HasLegend
   ' property of the graph.
   '-----------------------------------------------------------

   Me!Graph1.Haslegend = Not Me!Graph1.Haslegend

End Sub
  4. Add the following line to the Declarations section of the Sales By Product form's form module if it's not already there:


    5. 
Option Explicit
  5. On the File menu, click Close and Return to Microsoft Access.


  6. On the View menu, click Form View, and then click the Toggle Legend button. Note that the graph's legend either appears or disappears.


NOTE: Depending on the how the graph was created, you may have to click the Toggle Legend button twice the first time that you use it to see the described functionality.


REFERENCES

For more information about Automation, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type "understanding automation" in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

Additional query words: link embed 


Keywords          : kbole kbdta kbgraph 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: July 6, 1999