Create a Keypad in an Access form and Subform

[ramirezx@ddmfg.com]

Is it possible to have an add in or create a 10 keypad where I can enter number and have it stored to specific fields.



Or an option in Access like the calendar when we click on an icon which opens a calendar. Is there an option like that, but for a ten keypad?

[Micron]

Your post isn't quite clear. Are you dealing with a touch screen? If not, then I don't get the question. If a form field has the focus, you can enter any digits simply by using the pc keyboard.
Or are you saying you want a keypad type of form that looks like the calendar control, in which case, I can only imagine that you are using a touch screen.

EDIT: I just had to try interacting with an Access command button with my laptop touch screen. I never knew, but WOW it works. So I guess you'd build a form for this. Opening it would have to be via first touching the control where you want the data to go. I suppose the Got Focus event would be the one to open the form, and you'd pass the control name to the keypad form Open Args so it would know where to place the number(s). If you opened that form in form view via the nav pane, you'd need to trap for that. I also guess that you could either assemble the entire entry then transpose it to the form, or do it one digit at a time. With one at a time, you'd have to provide back spacing. Either way, a test for existing data would need to highlight that entry so it could be replaced with the first press of your keypad form buttons. Seems quite intriguing.

[ramirezx@ddmfg.com]

My apologies,

Yes, I have a touch screen that I want to use, I have a form and a sub form where I want users to be able to enter #'s both with regular text boxes and combo boxes.

What I was hoping that if the user touches a field they can go to a keypad, enter #'s, and then tab out to the next field. They will not have a keyboard or touch screen. The On Screen keyboard takes too much space and they only need to enter #'s and tab to the next field.

Thanks,
Xavier

[Micron]

I know of no such thing - not to say someone hasn't already done it. Up to today, I didn't even realize Access would accept my screen touch. I find the concept VERY intriguing. Maybe I will play with it, but not sure when I will get around to it if I have to start from scratch. If you want to mock up a db with whatever tables/data/queries/forms you think are required to start with, I'd see what I could do about a numeric touch pad for input. I'd have more incentive to jump on it sooner. It also helps that we are using the same windows/Access version.

However, I think it would be wise to see what further comments or links are posted here by others. This wheel might have already been created by someone else.

[isladogs]

I use Access with a Windows tablet and have released several apps designed to work on a tablet with either the OSK or touchpad.
For example a signature capture app which works very well.

Having said that not all Access apps are easy to use on a tablet.
In terms of usability, you have to consider the small screen and overall layout

However I'm unclear what it is you want as it sounds like you are already aware of using the OSK and don't want that

There is a VBA reference called Microsoft Tablet PC Type Library you can enable which provides some useful functionality

Also, are you aware that there are several versions of the OSK from which you can select - with more or fewer keys and taking up more or less screen space

[Gicu]

Hi Xavier,

Why don't you build your own pop-up form? I am attaching a sample where I have a pop-up editor (double-click the two fields to invoke the pop-up), you can look at how it works and adapted for your keypad.

Cheers,
Vlad

[Micron]

I couldn't resist an initial play time. Doesn't do much at the moment.


Will take a look at the post 5 attachment too.

[isladogs]

Before anyone gets too carried away reinventing the wheel, do check out the various different on screen keyboard options including





This one is for handwritten input using mouse or finger which is then converted to standard text. it works very well


The small icon on the top left is used to toggle the various options

[ramirezx@ddmfg.com]

I have Windows 10, when i open the on screen keyboard it takes too much screen. the three print screens of the keyboard how do you go from one to the other.

If I can set it to the 1st or 2nd print screen that might work for me?

Thanks!

[isladogs]

Can you see the keyboard icon in the top left? If not you are using the old on screen keyboard osk.exe
You want the tablet keyboard tabtips.exe
Change to tablet mode and click the taskbar icon in the notifications area

[Micron]

I played with the OSK for W10. Have to say that based on my interpretation of the OP's need, it would be a bit clunky. You have to click on every field then click back to the keyboard and input, then back to the form and select, back to the keyboard, and so on. Besides, I gather that only numbers are needed (so way too much space taken up by the osk for the need) and a touch screen will be used.

Have given much thought as to how an Access keypad form could interact with form fields. Once you touch the screen view of the form field, things can happen, but it's surprising how much is really involved in order to make it function well and I've only just started thinking about it.

[Gicu]

Micron,
Have a look at my popEditor to see how I do it, on doubleclick event of the calling form (in OP's case could be OnEnter of each of the fields) I open the popup form and on close of that I update back the calling field.

Cheers,
Vlad

[isladogs]

I'm typing this on a windows tablet now using handwriting recognition and this was done with no errors. it also copes with numbers just as well.
It's definitely harder work using the tablet keyboard but it's certainly possible
As I said originally, it's important to consider form design if you intend an app to be used on a tablet.

EDIT
Just corrected an typo error which occurred after I reverted to the touch keyboard!
Typical

[Micron]

Micron,
Have a look at my popEditor to see how I do it

I did, and I don't think that's what's being asked for. I have seen this sort of thing from long, long ago, where a popup form is presented as a way of adding/editing values in a locked field if you have the admin type rights. While yours isn't locked, the principle is the same. Unless I'm mistaken, the OP has a touch screen and no keyboard, and simply wants to edit a field with a numeric keypad. Unless I'm misunderstanding the original post (or yours for that matter) then I don't see how your db does that. I've gone as far as building a keypad that interacts with a touch screen and will place a value in a form field, but that's all I've done to this point.

I don't know for sure, but I'd say that regardless if the input tool is a pc or tablet, if the OP wants a numerical only keypad to be an integral part of a db, then I'm not sure the osk is the way to go. I do think that it's time for some clarification, though. Regardless, I will probably play with it because I like a new challenge, but it would be better to create something closer to the desired form rather than me creating whatever I can envision. That would take some feedback, which hasn't happened since post 9.

[isladogs]

Hi Micron
The OP added an RP comment on my post 10 - he's happy with what I described and 'says it works for him & he's good to go'

Personally I like the handwriting window input on a tablet - in tests, its worked every time without error for populating controls on a form.
Ironically when I used the TabTips OSK afterwards, I kept making typos

For info, this is my signature capture form designed specifically for tablet use
For this screenshot, I used a mouse on a desktop to 'sign' - much harder than using a fingertip on a touch screen