How to display "Please wait" popup everytime Access is loading data from back end

[robs23]

Hi Guys,

The server, on which my back end is stored, is terribly slow. I'd like to avoid situation where the user hits for instance "Add Project" button (the button is supposed to display a form that allows new project's entry), front end starts loading the form and required data from back end - and before the form appears on the screen, the user hits the button once more. I noticed that sometimes it takes few seconds to load the form and during that time user can (and knowing my users probably will) hit the button (or some other part of interface) once more. It can make my app crash or work unstable and that's why it is definitely good idea to avoid it.
I already created appropriate modal form saying "Please wait" that wouldn't allow the user to mess up. Unfortunately, there are many forms (and other bottleneck spots) for which I'd like to use this function. I don't like the idea of revising my whole code and placing

DoCmd.OpenForm.. and DoCmd.Close acForm

every here and there - isn't there a better way to do so? Could you Guys share your experience in this matter?

Robert

[ItsMe]

If I do not use the modal form option, the other option I use is to disable the command button that was just clicked.

So something like...
Me.SomeOtherField.SetFocus
Me.cmdButton.Disable
'Do Something Here
Me.cmdButton.Enable

[robs23]

Thanks. I'm looking particularly for a way to detect form's loading state. I know each form has onLoad event and I could open my "Please wait" form there. Is there any event handler NOT within a form but wider, like for a whole database? I'd like to avoid adding my code to each and every form and have all forms triggering my code by default onLoad event.. I know such thing probably doesn't exist in Vba but doesn't hurt to ask.

RObert

[burrina]

That would need to be called via a Module. Can't for the life of me see why you would want to do such a thing?

[orange]

Robert,

When you open a form are you asking for a specific record or set of records, or are you looking at an entire table?

If it's really a case of the user hitting the button when they shouldn't, then ItsMe's approach would seem to prevent the second and subsequent clicks that you say cause the issue.

[robs23]

Hi,

I have like 20 or so forms, some are used to entry data to tables, some to manipulate data within tables and some just to display data. Often it's a mix of all these things. I know I can disable a button when it's clicked but there are always other buttons user may click then. I believe in approach that an app must be idiot-proof - if there is something that can cause your app crash, someone will definitely do this (no matter how unlikely it seems). That's why I try to find such things upfront and block them..
I know I can display a modal form that wouldn't allow the user messing things up. I just don't want to code each and every form separately and I'm looking for an easier way. My first guess is to call that modal "Please wait" form from each form's onLoad/onOpen event (depends which one triggers first) and close it when form is fully loaded. Which form's events would be best to start my modal form and which is best for closing it? The start even needs to take place almost immediately after I've hit the button to open form, and the closing event needs to be triggered when the form and all its controls are fully loaded...

Robert

[ItsMe]

My apps will typically display only one form at a time. If the user is not looking at the main menu they are looking at the form relevant to the task at hand. End of story. If the user needs another window to display historical data, I may employ a pop up form (non-modal) in the interest of real estate.

I rarely need the Modal property to = Yes. If I use this option it is probably in conjunction with a Yes/No MsgBox where the user wants to input additional info not relative to the current form's recordset.

I suppose you could write a user defined function that would change the Edit property for the current form to lock all controls. I believe this will affect Command Buttons too. However, I would not call this function in a subsequent form's load event. I would want my locking code to fire in the first line of the click event.

[burrina]

What you are asking for makes no sense. As ItsMe has pointed out there are alternatives. What is it you REALLY want to protect? Explain in detail! Idiot proof starts with the design and coding of your forms.

[robs23]

Ok, I start thinking we don't speak the same language. I have a form A with only 1 button and it opens form B. If user press the button, let's say it takes 10 seconds to display B. In the meantime, the user is confused whether he pressed the button or not. So he press the button once more. What do you think happens then? I think Access will start another instance of B. Am I wrong?

[burrina]

I don't know why it would take such a form that long to open! However you could simply create a timed popup form or simple message saying the form will load shortly. Do you have such a form(s) that takes long to open? Surely there are not a lot of them!

[robs23]

As I said, my company's server is terribly slow and if user connects remotely via VN client, every single form loads that long. Thanks for all your solutions, I'm aware of them. I just don't want to revise every one form to place code to open/close the "please wait" pop-up..

[burrina]

As I also mentioned, you could use a module to call a Please Wait for your forms.

Good Luck!

[robs23]

@Burrina How do I do that? Can you place a sample code so I know the syntax or what object to use? It'd be very appreciated.

[burrina]

Here is a DEMO example you could maybe modify to suit your needs. Depends on your skill level. Either way you would have to add code for every form no matter what!
I did NOT waste a lot of time on this and will not design to your specific needs.

HTH

[robs23]

Thanks. I'll give it a go when I'm back home