Form with Label captions that size dynamically

[karmacable]

I'm wondering if it's possible to create label captions that dynamically grow to show all the contents of a selected item (but not empty values), and push other boxes down as a result. I may be totally going about this the wrong way, but let's see how clear an example I can give.

tblOrder
**OrderID (PK-Autonumber)
**OrderName (text)
**ComputerID (number)

tblComputer
**ComputerID (PK-Autonumber)
**ComputerName (text)
**Part1 (text)
**Part2 (text)
**Part3 (text)

frmOrder (uses tblOrder as source)
**cboComputerName1
**cboComputerName2

frmDetail (this will show the detailed parts from the computer selection, like a Report)

So on frmOrder, a user makes a selection from two comboboxes for computers. Let's say we have two types of computers, and here's there listed parts;

**ComputerName - Dell
**Part1 - Power Adapter


**Part2 - Keyboard & Mouse
**Part3 - Monitor

**ComputerName - Gateway
**Part1 - Power Adapter
**Part2 - (blank)
**Part3 - (blank)

If the user chooses in order, a Gateway and a Dell, then clicks a command button which opens up the frmDetail, my label's pre-sized captions will currently look like this;

Computer: Gateway
- Power Adapter


Computer: Dell
- Power Adapter
- Keyboard & Mouse
- Monitor

I want it however, to look like this;

Computer: Gateway
- Power Adapter
Computer: Dell
- Power Adapter
- Keyboard & Mouse
- Monitor

Is there a way to make it shrink / grow dynamically to accommodate the part names, based on whether there are values or not? Let me know if there is any needed information I've left out.

If a report's the only way to go about for this, then feel free to point me to a thread similar to my issue.

[pbaldy]

In a report you can use Can Grow & Can Shrink. If memory serves, those don't work on a form.

In any case, you have a design flaw there. You should not have the 3 part fields; what are you going to do when you need a 4th or 5th part? You should have a related table with computer ID and part. The computer with 3 parts would have 3 records in that table, the computer with 1 part would only have 1 record. Then your db is flexible and dynamic.

[karmacable]

Thanks for pointing out the design flaw, it makes sense. I'll have to figure out what to do for my reporting now...

[pbaldy]

No problem. Your reporting should get easier, because those blank rows don't exist anymore. Post back if you get stuck.