Default Text Value for empty Text Fields that disappear when clicked

[intrepid]

I want to display text in empty fields on a form to indicate what information to type in, within that field. After clicking on the field, I want the text to disappear and allow the user to fill in the field. Also, I want the place holder text to be italicized and grey.

Attached is an example of what I've attempted.

Any help would be very much appreciated

[June7]

IMO, this is more trouble than its worth. I just have labels.

Could use DefaultValue property to display the clue. Code in GotFocus event could set the field to null if the field contains the clue. Use Conditional Formatting for the italic and grey setup.

[intrepid]

I'm sorry June, I have limited experience with coding. Could you give me an example code for the GotFocus event, along with the Conditional Formating?

[June7]

Conditional Formatting is not something you code. This is form/report design and can be found on the ribbon Format tab. Access Help has more guidelines.

Code could either set the field to Null or select the entire value so that as soon as user begins typing the value is replaced. Example:

If Me.tbxTelephone = "Telephone" Then
Me.tbxTelephone.SelStart = 0
Me.tbxTelephone.SelLength = 9
End If

[intrepid]

You are right, this is absolutely more trouble than it's worth.

So I've got the conditional formatting set as this;

Expression is: =IIf(IsNull([Main Contact Name]), "Contact Name" , [Name])

And it reads that my syntax is wrong. What did I do wrong?

[intrepid]

I don't see an OnClick macro expression that will clear the Default Value !! And I'm still unclear as to how to format the Default Value as a different colour.

[orange]

Intrepid,

There are samples on youtube that may help. Here's one.

[intrepid]

Intrepid,

There are samples on youtube that may help. Here's one.

Thanks orange, this is the same video available through Access Help - I've seen it.

I think in sum, (haha), all I want to do now is change the Default Value text to a different font - so what is the expression and syntax, in Conditional Formatting, to specify the Default Value as the target for text formating?

Basically, If [Default Value] then do the formatting.

[orange]

I don't have 2013, and don't use conditional formatting a whole bunch.

What exactly are you trying to do? Some context and details please.
I'm not a macro user.

[intrepid]

Yep, so basically I have a subform for contact information for a list of organizations. When the contact information is blank, I want each of the fields in my contact list (Name, City, etc.) to display the default value, which has been set to describe each of the fields (Name, City, etc.). But, I want the default text to be formatted as a different colour than text that has been inputted or available through the Contact table.

[orange]

My gut feeling is that your use of Default value is confusing readers (me at least).

if you hve a list of fields that you want to have a default value or text that you can put on a form as a guide for users, then perhaps this might work.


Create another table with the Field Names for the table, and associated text strings you want on the form.

TblContactText
ContactTextId PK
ContactField
AssociatedText

with values such as

1 ContactFirstName "Enter First Name of Contact"
2 ContactLastName "Enter Last Name of Contact"
5 ContactCity "Enter City for this Contact"

If the control on the form is unbound, you could add these texts, and the user could overwrite with real data before creating a contact record from the inputted data. You could have the font color whatever you want, then change it when new Data is entered.

Just thinking and typing.

[June7]

The Conditional Formatting would be a condition that changes the color if field value is "Contact Name". This is not an Expression Is rule. It is a Field Value Is Equal To rule.

[intrepid]

The Conditional Formatting would be a condition that changes the color if field value is "Contact Name". This is not an Expression Is rule. It is a Field Value Is Equal To rule.

Bingo! I made it more complicated than I needed, thanks for sticking with me June7 on this. Such a simple solution - eh, my knowledge grows.