Setting Up a Field Copy Function Key

[Markgc]

I am not a power user but I am using Access to log my Ham Radio contacts. When I enter data I like to use the copy data from the previous record data field, function which is a ctr ' keypair. I would like to have a single key stroke to perform this function rather than having to use two hands. I would like to set up a single Function key for this purpose. F5 or F8 maybe.



I would appreciate some advice on how to do this.


thanks Mark

[ajetrumpet]

i dont' know, but what comes to mind is using a form's "keypress" event and check for the ascii value of the key that was pressed. I believe the function for ascii values is ASC()

[Markgc]

I can probably find out the ASCII value oof the keystroke combination but I don't know what to do then.

[ajetrumpet]

well, when you find it, here's some sample code I wrote once as an e.g. -

Private Sub cmdfill_Click()

On Error Resume Next

Dim c As Control
  Dim rs As Recordset
    Set rs = Me.RecordsetClone

    Me.Painting = False

rs.FindFirst "[orderid] = " & Me.orderid

  DoCmd.GoToRecord acDataForm, Me.Name, acNewRec
  
      For Each c In Me.Controls
        If Not TypeOf c Is CheckBox Then
          If Not TypeOf c Is Label Then
            If Not TypeOf c Is CommandButton Then
              If Me.Controls("chk" & c.Name) = -1 Then
                Debug.Print c.Name
                c = rs(c.ControlSource)
              End If
            End If
          End If
        End If
      Next c
   
    Me.Painting = True

  rs.Close

Set rs = Nothing

End Sub

what that does is use a clone of the form's recordset, navigates to the record that's showing on the form using the orderid field, and creates a new records with all the values of that old record. So basically copies it. The big block just loops checkboxes that are named in a patternized fashion to make the example easier. If a field is checked, it's copied. That's not needed for a copy function.

[Markgc]

Thanks but I know so little about this that it is going to be impossible for me to do. I am hardware engineer.

Excel used to have a nice macro keystoke copy I wonder why this isn't available in Access.

Is there a tutorial about this anywhere?

thanks Mark

[ajetrumpet]

you'll have to have someone write the code for you, Mark. It's VBA. If there's someone you know, I'd ask them. I'd do it for ya, but I don't have time.

I don't believe you can do this through the interface.

You might though, try a docmd action too:

docmd.runcommand accmdcopyrecord

not sure if that works, but you can try! Tutorials are all over the place too, so google is the bet.

I have no idea what the macro keystroke copy is in excel. Never heard of it, or I've heard of it under a different name.

[Markgc]

In Excel you could start a recorder, perform a bunch of keystrokes, stop the recorder and then then have a function key or keystroke combination automatically call and perform the long keystroke chain that you had just recorded.

I could say make the F8 key perform the ctrl ' function very easily that way.



Can I call a vba program from a function key...all I want is one key to copy the field value from the last record to the next..pretty simple stuff really. I am tired of having to use two hands to do this simple copy task. When I enter a radio contact often as not a lot of the data field are the same...a two handed copy operation is a real pain to do again and again.

Mark

[ajetrumpet]

access is not set up that way. sorry.

there are no shortcut keys, naturally, in access. there IS a shortcut menu and I believe a property in the form property sheet that something about keys, but I'm not sure. You might want to check that too. But that's complex as well, and probably not for a novice.

if you don't mind clicking the mouse, that would be your best bet here I'd think. Just like what I did with the tickboxes. Tick the ones to copy and push the button. DONE.

[Markgc]

What I am trying to do is tab over or right arrow over to the next field and hit a key to copy the data to that field from same field in the previous record.

I tried to post a example but that isn't so easy with html


Mark