Design Mode Access Unusual

[Leen]

Hello,



Someone wrote a check printing program for me; everything works fine, except choosing the Design Mode is rather strange.
Usually I right-click on the file in the left navigation pane and click design mode.

In this case however, the navigation pane is non-accessible (beep); I have to right click on the form to choose design mode. Also when starting new, the "enable" button can only be accessed by clicking the form exit (X) button, then click enable, and the form will return.

Anyone any idea how I can change this to normal? Thanks!

[pbaldy]

Is the form open in dialog mode?

[June7]

Limited access only when a form is opened? How is the form opened? All forms or just particular form?

May be Options settings or AutoExec macro or code behind a form that opens by default.

Hold down shift key while opening db file. See if you can now right click in the Pane.

[Leen]

Limited access only when a form is opened? How is the form opened? All forms or just particular form?

May be Options settings or AutoExec macro or code behind a form that opens by default.

Hold down shift key while opening db file. See if you can now right click in the Pane.

Amazingly, when I hold down the shift key, access opens with the navigation pane only!

[Leen]

I am not sure, but I don't think so.

[Leen]

And when the form opens (double click - settings are single click), the access to the navigation pane is "locked" again.

[Leen]

It is all a bit difficult to explain and I have no idea why the programmer set it up this way.
Would you like me to attach the file?

[pbaldy]

Sure, but my guess is that it's opened in dialog mode or the popup/modal settings are on.

[Leen]

Goodness me, I turned off the modal off and popup on, and... it is fixed!
Finally a "normal" program again.
Thank you so much!

[June7]

'Normal' is perception. Users are not supposed to interact directly with tables and queries. Developers often disable Navigation Pane, menus, ribbon, right click shortcuts so user interaction is strictly controlled. Holding shift key while opening can bypass many of these optional settings so that you (developer) can do design edits without limitations.

[pbaldy]

Goodness me, I turned off the modal off and popup on, and... it is fixed!
Finally a "normal" program again.
Thank you so much!

Happy to help!