Long Form

[cegomez1]

I am trying to create a printable form that would allow my employees to enter preventive maintenance checklists on overhead cranes. I have created a table corresponding to the questions they need to answer, and on most of my PM's it works perfectly. The problem I have run into is that on the monthly crane sheets, the form would be around 5 pages long, however the maximum form length is 22". I have tried creating a tab control that allows them to select each page individually and fill it out, however I am unable to figure out a way to create a button to print all 5 pages of the tabcontrol, as it will only print the last and final page. I was wondering if anyone knows a way to have a single button print all 5 pages of the tab control, or a more user-friendly way to create this PM form. Thanks.

[John_G]

Hi -

You would probably be better off creating a report that corresponds to the form. The user doesn't need to do anything different - the "Print" button would run the report instead of printing the form.

[cegomez1]

The report would have the same size restrictions as the form.

[June7]

What is the db structure? Why is the data spread over 5 pages? Records can print out on however many pages are required.

I do have some reports (blank 'workcard' for technicians to enter data) that spread over multiple pages. I have a report for each page and manage the print output with code.

[cegomez1]

I created a table with each field designating the item requiring response (almost entirely checkboxes or combo boxes). I then created a form linking the fields from the table, and a macro that allows employees to only add records. There are a good bit of fields however, and I was unable to fit it onto more than 2 pages. I essentially just need to be able to have my employees open the macro to enter a form, which can be saved so I am able to keep a record of their entries and print these entries out at any time in the future. I imagine this was not the most efficient way to go about it, however I am very new to Access, and it was perfect for the PM sheets with only a few required entries. If you email me at Christopher.gomez@nucor.com I can send you a copy of the database for reference.

[June7]

Sounds like non-normalized data structure.

Can attach db to post, follow instructions at bottom of my post, or upload to fileshare site like Box.com and post link.

[cegomez1]

Attached is the database. I would imagine it is not the proper method to achieve what I need, I actually don't need the table itself, but rather just the form. Electrical Maintenance Log (2).zipElectrical Maintenance Log (2).zip

[June7]

This is not a normalized data structure. Questionnaire forms do not translate nicely to normalized data structure. The paper form does not usually reflect normalized db structure. Making data entry form in normalized db look like the paper form is not practical. Questionnaire db is fairly common topic. Might search forum.

I don't understand - if you don't need the table, why do you have it?

If you want the db to print out a questionnaire document, I expect will need to do what I do for a multi-page document - use VBA code to sequentially print the individual report pages.

[cegomez1]

The table seemed like a good way to save every form as a record, as I need to keep an electronic copy of each form on hand at all times, and needed the ability to pull it back up and print it out if needed at anytime in the future. I was also trying to keep it as simple as possible, which is why I need the view to be user friendly, as many of the people that will be filling out said form will have little to no skills with any form of data entry.

[June7]

If you want to save data, then table is required.

Your options:

1. good database, people learn data entry

2. user friendly form, bad database, more complicated work for you

[cegomez1]

Is it possible to create a button that would print out each individual page of a tab control at once, if I was to separate the "pages" into different tabs on the control?

[June7]

Don't know, never tried, doubt it. Print report.