David W. Fenton said:
But that's not available in MDB/MDE, as Arvin mentioned -- you have
to use the new file format. But everything else applies, as the new
file format uses the same interfaces to SQL Server data.
If you mean the new formatting options? Yes, they are active, and do work
when using
a 2003 format file. (obviously, the new anchoring of controls don't
work!!!).
So, sure, the complex data types and new controls don't work, but I was
referring to the new "ease of use" tools in the forms designer.
The formatting options in the forms designer (tabular, stacked) does work if
your using a2003 format. These extra options in the ribbon (in the "arrange"
group) are REALLY nice touches to the forms designer.
If you take that a2003 mdb version with those way cool "groupings" and
stacked, or tabular control format that you built using a2007, and then open
that same form in design mode in a2003...you simply get the current way that
it always worked. This means that the labels will be detached from the text
boxes, as they can't straddle the forms heading and details (and be grouped
together) like they can in a2007). So, those new options allows a label +
control to be grouped..and STRADDLE the forms detail and heading. You can't
do that in a2003, but you can edit a a2003 mdb this was in a2007.
So, those new features I was taking about are just improved layout and
productivity in terms of building forms in ms-access. (and, note that there
is a slight UI bug in that when you click on a control that is part of
stacked, or tabular group...the ribbon does NOT highlight this fact -- I
think this is a bug..or more so of an omission).
We always had one of the best forms designers in he marketplace..and these
new features simply make the forms designer EVEN BETTER.
For example I often build continues forms. You will then place text labels
in the forms heading, and text box controls in the details section. It was a
LOT OF work for move those controls around together. If you re-size a text
box in the details, then have to manually re-size the label in the header
for the form (you *can* select both to resize in a2003..so, that helps).
However, after you re-sized the text box and the label (and, as mentioned
hopefully you selected both to do this resize). Assume you mde the text box
smaller. Now, you have all of the controls in the details, (and labels in
the forms header) to the right that have to be moved over to the left to
fill in that gap. And, the process is even worse when you try and increase
the size of a text box.
This was a pain full process, or at the very least, a good deal of annoying
extra work.
In a2007, you simply use the "arrange" group on the ribbon. It will do all
of the dirty work for you. This means that ALL of the text labels, and
detail control labels will move and re-size AS A GROUP TOGETHER. I tested
this feature, and you can edit/use a2003 format files..and the tabulated,
and stacked formatting options in the ribbon bar do work just fine!
So, this feature/option I speak of actually works in a2007 for previous
format files...
And, As I mentioned, this is a real time saver. It is also a nice leap
forward in features in the forms designer. We not had much added in the way
to our great forms desinger over the year.
I have to say that a2007 has a LOT of nice features in this regards. In
addition to the stacked, and tabular formatting options, we also have
anchors on controls. And, we also have the new split view forms. and, the
new imainge control can be bound to display different picutres on a contues
form.
I have not tested if anchors of controls works in a2003 format files (of I
talking about running a2003 format in a2007 for this to work).
However, those layout features I speak of do work in a2003 format
files...and if you use the mdb file in a2003...you see the same results.
And, you can open up the a2003 in a2003 design mode...but, you not have the
grouping active I talked about).
These formatting options just makes the forms designer more up to date, and
even better then it is now....
This means even more productivity and ease of use.
So, there is actually quite a few options in the forms side of things for
a2007...
