Access 2013 Bible

Chapter 28: Advanced Data Access with VBA

IN THIS CHAPTER

Using a combo box to find a record on a form

Using the form's filter options

Using parameter queries to filter a form

In the previous few chapters, you learned the basics of Access programming, reviewed some built-in VBA functions, and experienced the various VBA logical constructs. You learned about DAO and ADO and how to access data in tables and queries through SQL recordsets. You also learned a lot about forms and queries.

In this chapter, you use all this knowledge and learn how to display selected data in forms or reports using a combination of techniques involving forms, Visual Basic code, and queries.

On the Web

In the Chapter28.accdb database, you'll find several forms to use as a starting point, and other completed forms to compare to the forms you change in this example. All the examples use a modified version of frmProducts and tblProducts.

Adding an Unbound Combo Box to a Form to Find Data

When viewing an Access form, you often have to page through hundreds or even thousands of records to find the record or set of records you want to work with. You can teach your users how to use the Access “find” features, what to do to see other records, and so on, but this defeats the purpose of a programmed application. If you build an application, you want to make it easier for your users to be productive with your system, not teach them how to use the tools built into Access.

Figure 28.1 shows frmProducts with an additional ...