How can I create an option group with more than 20 options?

[Rick]

The Option Group Wizard in Access 2003 will not let me go beyond 20
(isn't *that* a curious number? not a power of two, etc.).

Thanks

 

[strive4peace]

Hi Rick,

go to the design view of your form and add additional options without
using the wizard.

1. make sure the Toolbox is on
(View, Toolbox from the menu)
(toggle icon on toolbar with hammer and wrench)

2. since you already have an option Group (frame), select it and drag
the handles to make it bigger

3. then, click on the option button tool in the toolbox

4. move your mouse into the option group, it will become selected

5. position the crosshair where you want the next option button and
click the mouse

~~~

now, make sure the Properties window is on
(View, Properties from the menu)

1. click on the option button you just created if it is not selected

2. click on the All tab of the Properties window

3. scroll to the top of the list of Properties

4. change the Name property to be something meaningful

5. make sure the Option Value property is as you wish

6. it is a good idea to fill the StatusBarText property too


Warm Regards,
Crystal
*
have an awesome day
*
MVP Access
Remote Programming and Training
strive4peace2006 at yahoo.com
*

 

[Rick]

Crystal and Wayne, thank you both for your replies. I'll try the
toolbox!

This particular form needs 32 options because there are 32 categories
of product my client deals in, and I was thinking that a single mouse
click would make selection convienent for the data entry folks.
Another possibility is a text box where they can enter a number from 1
to 32, and I might implement that as an alternative. Fortunately I'm
on very close terms with the data entry people so whatever I do they'll
let me know if it's a winner (yay!) or a loser (ok, what would you like
instead?).

Thanks again.

Rick

 

[strive4peace]

Hi Rick,

you are welcome!

I agree with Wayne, though, that is a lot of options ... consider
lightly shaded color rectangles behind sections so the user can more
easily find their place.

Even though you do not have light (faded) colors to pick from on the
color list, here is what I do:

1. pick a fill color from the icon drop-down

2. then click on the builder button (...) for BackColor (Format tab of
the property sheet) to whatever color you wish to modify

3. click on the "Define Custom Colors >>" button from the Color dialog

4. drag the triangle up the slider for a lighter shade

~~~

the other thing you will need to do is send the rectangle to the Back
after you draw it -- graphics are in layers and it will go on top
otherwise...

~~~

* CUSTOMIZING YOUR FORM/REPORT DESIGN TOOLBAR:

when you are in the design view of a form or report, RIGHT-CLICK in a
gray area to the right of your menu bar or an icon bar

choose "Customize" from the shortcut menu

in the dialog box...

choose the *Commands* tab

Category --> *Form/Report Design*

slide these icons to the Form Design toolbar:
(they are located about 3 "screens" down in the Commands list)

Align Right -- must have >1 control selected to be enabled
Align Left -- "
Align Top -- "
Align Bottom -- "
Bring To Front
Send To Back

If you don't know what these icons do, while the customize window is
open, click on the DESCRIPTION command button for each one to see what
is does.

to be efficient, the Align button are a MUST for form and report design

the Bring To Front and Send To Back are nice to have too -- since
everything is "layered" and this gives you control on the order

~~~~~~~

in order to align, you have to have more than one control selected

to select multiple controls:

1. click and drag an imaginary line (or rectangle) touching every
control you want to select and then let go of the mouse

OR

2. click (and drag if desired) in the vertical ruler to select
everything on that extended horizontal line (or rectangle)

OR

3. click (and drag if desired) in the horizontal ruler to select
everything on that extended vertical line (or rectangle)

OR

4. click the first object and then SHIFT-CLICK objects to toggle their
selection status



Warm Regards,
Crystal
*
have an awesome day
*
MVP Access
Remote Programming and Training
strive4peace2006 at yahoo.com
*