Conditional Formatting dialog won't pop up...Why???

[jhko]

Hi Gang:

Using Access 2013. I'm trying to do some conditional formatting on a field. I select the field in design or layout mode. I go to the Format menu, and Conditional Formatting (which is NOT greyed out). When I click on the Conditional Formatting option, nothing happens. What the heck? Where is the dialog?

I've rebooted my system, and tried every database I have (even created a new one), and I can't get the conditional formatting dialog to appear. Is there something stupid I'm overlooking? Do I need to have something in place before I can bring up the dialog?

Many thanks in advance for any insight you may have,



Joe O.

[orange]

Can you post a copy of your database (take out anything confidential/private) in 2007-2010 format zipped?

[jhko]

Can you post a copy of your database (take out anything confidential/private) in 2007-2010 format zipped?

Thanks so much. Here it is. This is a super-simple database (one field). When I highlight the field in design mode and click "Conditional Formating", nothing happens.

- Joe

[orange]

What did you expect to happen?
You have no data in your table. You have spaces in your table name.
You have the same name for the Form???

[jhko]

What did you expect to happen?
You have no data in your table. You have spaces in your table name.
You have the same name for the Form???

My real database doesn't have any of those defects, but it was too large to upload. I just threw together that test dbase in 30 seconds. I've fixed all the defects you mentioned (new copy attached), and it still doesn't work (neither does my real dbase). Is there something else I need to do? I'm probably missing something stupid that I need to do before the dialog will pop up. I'm just going to design mode, selecting the field, then hitting Format, Conditional Formatting. Does it work on your system?

- Joe

[ssanfu]

No problems for me in A2010.

What happens when you open this one and try to edit the conditional formatting?

[RuralGuy]

No problem with Conditional Formatting in design view with ac2013!

[jhko]

Thanks so much for the reply. Still no luck on my end. I'm thinking I'm not following protocol correctly, or maybe an option is set wrong? Here's what I'm doing exactly:
1.) Open TestTableForm form by double-clicking on it from the object pane.
2.) Select Design View from the bottom bar.
3.) Click on the Test text box in the Detail section of the form (so it has an orange highlight around it).
4.) Go to the Format tab under Form Design Tools.
5.) Click on Conditional Formatting (it is not greyed-out). Nothing happens.
Any thoughts? (BTW, I tested my home computer as well, same result).

Many thanks in advance,

Joe

[jhko]

PS- I was using the TestdBase3 database uploaded by ssanfu. I *do* see the red highlighted field in normal view OK.

[ssanfu]

Joe,
What happened when you opened my example dB?
Did the record with a value of 123 have a red background?
Were you able to change the conditional formatting?

You did pretty much what I did to set the CF.

[jhko]

Hi Steve:
Opened your example fine. The record with a value of 123 was red and everything looked correct. I attempted to change the formatting as per my prior post, but nothing happens, no dialog comes up. This is just driving me crazy! This happens on two completely different computers, with any database I test. Does something need to be done before setting conditional formatting? What happens when you follow my procedure list above?
Thanks again for the help.

Joe

[jhko]

ITS WORKING! ITS WORKING!
I swear that there are gremlins out there. For the hundredth time, I'm opening sample databases and clicking on the Conditional Formatting button. I even try moving the button around using the customize ribbon features. But nothing works, no dialog, on any database. Then suddenly, when I'm in the midst of doing nothing special except clicking yet on the button, the dialog comes up!!! What the heck!!! Now I try all the different databases and they work! What the hell!!!???? I'm not nuts, I haven't done anything differently. Why is it suddenly working? Will it stop working again? Is there some strange virus playing a trick on me? Does the program wait until you are totally frustrated, and then install some component automatically. Man, this was a pain in the a**. Thanks so much for all of you who helped. I wish I could explain this one. Same exact procedure, and now it works. Go figure.

[orange]

Glad you have it resolved.

[TC55848]

ITS WORKING! ITS WORKING!
I swear that there are gremlins out there. For the hundredth time, I'm opening sample databases and clicking on the Conditional Formatting button. I even try moving the button around using the customize ribbon features. But nothing works, no dialog, on any database. Then suddenly, when I'm in the midst of doing nothing special except clicking yet on the button, the dialog comes up!!! What the heck!!! Now I try all the different databases and they work! What the hell!!!???? I'm not nuts, I haven't done anything differently. Why is it suddenly working? Will it stop working again? Is there some strange virus playing a trick on me? Does the program wait until you are totally frustrated, and then install some component automatically. Man, this was a pain in the a**. Thanks so much for all of you who helped. I wish I could explain this one. Same exact procedure, and now it works. Go figure.

I am having this same issue and am very, very frustrated. And I've already used this function on other reports I've created.

For some reason, it just quit working and I have no idea why. I click on the 'Conditional Formatting' and no dialog box comes up and its not grayed out.

I guess I will try again some other time and hope the gremlins show me mercy as they have shown you.

[na4i]

I am having this same issue and am very, very frustrated. And I've already used this function on other reports I've created.

For some reason, it just quit working and I have no idea why. I click on the 'Conditional Formatting' and no dialog box comes up and its not grayed out.

I guess I will try again some other time and hope the gremlins show me mercy as they have shown you.

It works on my Dell Desktop, but will it not work on the Surface Pro with the same database. Got to be some hardware specific or some combo of installed software causing it. Sure wish I could narrow it down.
<Alan>