Locking/Unlocking a Control

[Kirsti]

Hi,



I want to lock a control unless the date in another control has been populated. I thought I'd do this in the 'BeforeUpdate' event, however I'm getting an error. My code is:

Private Sub Field_1_BeforeUpdate(Cancel As Integer)
If IsNull(Me.Field_2) Then
Me.Field_1.Locked = True
MsgBox "MyMsg"
Else
Me.Field_1.Locked = False
End If
End Sub

But, I'm getting "Run-time Error '2166' You can't lock a control while it has unsaved changes" when I try to update Field_1 after updating Field_2.

This error makes sense to me, but any ideas around how else I can get this to work would be appreciated.

Thanks - Kirsti

[pbaldy]

Since you're testing field 2, I'd do this in the after update event of that control.

[Kirsti]

Ahh, that makes sense. I'll give it a try. Thanks.

[Kirsti]

Ok, that didn't work.

I'm trying to prevent data entry into Field_1 unless Field_2 has been populated.

[ssanfu]

It is very confusing looking at your example because you didn't use good field names.

If you have set the form default view to Continuous Forms, depending on the current record value for Field_2, every Field_1 control will change Locked status.

It might be better to use conditional formatting. See attached mdb.....

[pbaldy]

Ok, that didn't work.

It would be more helpful if you posted exactly what code "didn't work", and detail what "didn't work" means.

[Kirsti]

Sorry Paul,

It 'didn't work' because my code is:

Private Sub Field_2_AfterUpdate
If IsNull(Me.Field_2) Then
Me.Field_1.Locked = True
MsgBox "MyMsg"
Else
Me.Field_1.Locked = False
End If
End Sub

Obviously if it's on the AfterUpdate event, then Field2 will never be Null, which is why I tried to put it on the BeforeUpdate of Field1 to start with.

So what I want, it to prevent users updating Field1 if Field2 has not been updated.

Steve - thanks I will look at your example.

[Kirsti]

Ok, thanks. After a weekend away from thinking about this, I have it working - using your idea Paul, and not over complicating it!

I changed the Locked property of Field1 to Yes, and then used this code:

Private Sub Field2_AfterUpdate()
Me.Field1.Locked = False
End Sub

Thanks again for your help.

Kirsti

[Kirsti]

And, just in case anyone is interested - to get my messagebox working, I used the following code:

Private Sub Field1_KeyDown(KeyCode As Integer, Shift As Integer)
If IsNull(Me.Field2) Then
MsgBox "MyMsg"
Else
Me.Field1.Locked = False
End If
End Sub

And now I have exactly what I wanted.

[pbaldy]

Glad you got it sorted out. I would probably have used the current event to lock field 1 if field 2 is Null, and the after update event of field 2 to unlock it as appropriate.