Is it Possible to Create and Store a Form Format Style Template

[MichaelA]

I would like all the forms in my db to have the same look. Is it possible to create something that will store all the info? Background colors, font colors, sizes, I'd like combo boxes to all be sunken and buttons to be raised, etc. Is this possible?

[June7]

You can build an UNBOUND form that has controls with desired formatting. Copy form then customize by removing/arranging/modifying controls as appropriate and add

data and code.

[isladogs]

As June suggested, you can create a template form with some dummy controls but any new controls you add won't retain the sunken setting automatically.
You can save other settings for your app in Access options including the use of themes and overlapping windows.

You can also go one stage further and create an Access template file (accdt) with your desired settings. When you open this, you will immediately be prompted to save as a new ACCDB file so that the template can be reused without being overwritten each time.

[Missinglinq]

Don't remember where I got this from...but you can turn any form you have into a custom AutoForm. From Design View for the form, goto Format AutoFormat and click on "Customize." Now check the radio button for "Create a new AutoFormat based on YourFormName" (the form you want to use as your template.) You'll be asked to give the AutoFormat a name, then you're done.

Now, anytime you want to use this same formatting for a form, from the Form Wizard select the AutoFormat, or from form Design View go to Format AutoFormat and select the AutoFormat you want to use. And here's the best part, you can do this to a form you've already created using another formatting, and it will change that form's formatting to the newly chosen AutoFormat!

Linq ;0)>

[Micron]

@MichaelA - you don't say if this is a one time thing or should be permanent. You can alter all the defaults for controls if that's what you're after, but as far as I know, not for form/report sections. Those aren't controls. You'd need to use one of the other suggestions. There is also this

https://www.accessforums.net/showthread.php?t=58464

[isladogs]

I'd forgotten about the settings that linq described and was initially unable to find them in A2010.
They were I think superceded by Themes in A2010

I think the autoformat feature dates back to A2003/2007 but is still available in later versions by customising the ribbon



Its fairly self explanatory though I've hardly ever used it (nor themes for that matter)

However, you can also definitely set defaults for new forms and reports like this in Access options



The default is Normal but can be overwritten. Just choose the form/report you want to use instead
The effect are

Note that this method does not affect existing forms/reports.

NOTE: The default settings used are applied to all your Access apps...as long as the form/report in question exists.
The easiest way is probably to include them by using them in a ACCDT template for all new databases

[MichaelA]

Thank you all. I don't have time to try these out right now but on my next day off I will give it a try.