Setting a variable of type form to an existing form

[GeorgeJ]

I am trying to learn how to use VB to change the properties of a Form. I have created an extremely simple database with no tables and just one form named “Form1”. I have created a module (Mod1) with the following code



Option Compare Database
Option Explicit
Dim Frm As Form

Sub test01()
Set Frm = Forms("Form1")
End Sub
Sub test02()
DoCmd.OpenForm ("Form1")
End Sub
When I run test01 I get a msg saying “Microsoft Access cannot find the referenced ‘Form1’ “
I know the form exists because it opens when I run test02

Can someone tell me how to set a variable of type Form to an existing form so I can start playing around with changing the form’s properties? I know one can manipulate controls once the form is loaded by using "Me.__"
but I would like to be able to manipulate form's properties from code outside the form's code file.

Thanks in advance

[Bob Fitz]

Try:

Option Compare Database
Option Explicit


Sub test01()
  Dim strFormName As String
  strFormName = "Form1"
  DoCmd.OpenForm (strFormName)
End Sub
Sub test02()
  DoCmd.OpenForm ("Form1")
End Sub

[GeorgeJ]

Bob, your code works, but what if I wanted to change a control on a form without opening the form. Suppose, for example, that on Form1 there was a button "Button1" and I wanted to make it invisible using code in Module1.

I am trying to do something like this


Forms("Form1").Button1.Visible = true

but that doesn't work.
Also, what if I want to use code in Module1 to add a control to Form1 ?


Any suggestions.

[June7]

AFAIK, the object must be open but can be not visible.

Why would you want to dynamically create controls? Do you intend to save the form with the new control? This must be done in Design View. Programmatic design edits can cause issues.

[GeorgeJ]

[QUOTE=June7;257179]AFAIK

I appreciate your point about design issues, but I would like to see if it is possible to modify a form with code outside the form's code module. I think this flexibi I wouldn't necessarily want to save the modifications. I'll see if anyone has any suggestions. Thanks for your response.

[June7]

I am sure it can be done because code can create an entire form. However, AFAIK, the form still has to be opened in Design View to perform other modifications. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8...form-in-access

[Missinglinq]

As June7 has said, twice, the Form has to be Open, in Design View, in order to set properties!

Linq ;0)>

[June7]

Let me back up a little. Properties of form and controls can be changed during runtime but if you want to save the modifications, AFAIK must be from Design View.

[Missinglinq]

...Properties of form and controls can be changed during runtime...

Sure, but the Form has to be open to do this, even in Runtime, and the OP, for whatever reason, wants to do this without the Form being opened, and without code in the Form's Module, and as we know that's simply a no-go.

Linq ;0>

[June7]

Yes, certainly form must be open in some mode. However, the code does not have to be behind the form but makes it more complicated. After all, how could a new form be created if code must be behind the form?