Access form field editing

[SpaceEd]

Hi,
I have a form in Access with several fields. Users can go in and make changes, save the record, and exit. However, if there is already existing data in a field and a user goes to edit it, all the information in the field gets cleared and starts over. For example, if I have “A long string of data” already in a field, then I go and edit the field, the “A long string of data” disappears and is replaced with whatever I began typing.

Is there a property of the Access form that I could change to stop this? It would be nice if it could function similarly to if you double click in a cell in excel.



Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks!

[June7]

No property that I know of.

You could use code that positions cursor in the control, otherwise user has to manually click to position cursor.

Example to set cursor position at the end of 'A long string of data':

Private Sub cbxSample_Enter()
If Not IsNull(Me.cbxSample) Then Me.cbxSample.SelStart = Len(Me.cbxSample)
Me.cbxSample.Dropdown
End Sub

[Missinglinq]

...Is there a property of the Access form that I could change to stop this?

My guess would be that your version of Access has its 'On Entering Field' Option set to 'Select Entire Field,' which does just that, and when you start typing the current data is overwritten. You can change this to 'Go to End of Field' and the cursor will do that when you Tab into the Textbox. This is installation specific, which is to say changing it will only change it on that computer! The Option would also have to be changed on any PCs that that will run the Database. Also, if the users use the mouse to click into the Field, this Option will not help!

To do this through Code, so that it will 'follow the database,' i.e. it will apply to all PCs that are running the app, you'll need this, for each concerned Control:

Private Sub ControlName_Click()
 If Not IsNull(Me.ControlName) Then Me.ControlName.SelStart = Len(Me.ControlName)
End Sub

Private Sub ControlName_Enter()
 If Not IsNull(Me.ControlName) Then Me.ControlName.SelStart = Len(Me.ControlName)
End Sub

This is essentially the same code that June7 gave, but placed in different events. He also apparently thought the question was about a Combobox, for some reason, hence the line about dropping it down.

Linq ;0)>

[June7]

I just happened to pick on a combobox that has the code, most of my controls with SelStart are comboboxes.

That app setting is under ClientSettings, never gave those much thought.

[Missinglinq]

...most of my controls with SelStart are comboboxes.

Just out of curiosity, why would you use SelStart with a Combobox?

Linq ;0)>

[June7]

These comboboxes are not limited to items in list. RowSource gives users suggestions from what is already in the form's RecordSource table, not a lookup table of values. They can select an item and make minor edits as necessary. AutoExpand aids selecting item but entry is free-form, input whatever they want.

Then SelStart comes in handy for:

1. During data entry user has option to initiate another record with same data from previous record but there might be minor edits to the data, such as changing 'Maximum SpG of HMA-OG-11' to 'Maximum SpG of HMA-OG-12'.

2. Existing record might require edit and the value requires a minor change as described in 1.

In each of the above, user doesn't have to position cursor at end of text when they enter field, just backspace and type away.

Then there's the fact users asked for it and I aim to please users.

[SpaceEd]

Thanks for the help June7 and Linq. I'll be using that feature, possibly "On Double-click"

Again, thank you!