How can I show 20 rows by 14 columns in a subform

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Guest

My database shows service dates for machines
The coloumns are machine type, serial number, & 12 months, (Jan, Feb, March,
etc)
The rows are each machine for the selected customer and the service dates or
reason for no service.
I have tried using datasheet view but this is unstable in Access 2003, (it
works OK in the 2002 version).
I have been advised not to use the subform datasheet method by an 'MVP' on
this site, but no alternative was suggested. I do not know how else to
display the data.
The data is found using combo boxes & Recordsetclone.
Can anyone help please?
 
Mike,
I don't know what you mean by...
I have tried using datasheet view but this is unstable in Access 2003, (it
works OK in the 2002 version).
Click to expand...
Although I rarely use datasheet view, I was not aware of any "stability' problems.

Create a "Continuous" view subform instead of "Datasheet" view. You can make it look
just like a datasheet if needed.
 
I need a more detailed description to give you any accurate advice. There is
no stability problem with subforms that I know of. Any table or query result
can be shown in a subform.

Regards

Tore
 
My database shows service dates for machines
The coloumns are machine type, serial number, & 12 months, (Jan, Feb, March,
etc)
Click to expand...

Then your table design IS WRONG.

Storing data - a month - in a column name is not a good idea. Is the
data in [Jan] for January 2006? January 2007? January 1994? How can
you tell??? If you want to sort chronologically or search by a date
range, you're out of luck with your current design.

I'd really suggest a different design:

Machines
SerialNumber <Primary Key>
MachineType
CustomerID
<other fields about the machine itself>

Services
ServiceID <Autonumber Primary Key>
SerialNumber <link to Machines>
ServiceDate <date/time>
ServiceReason
The rows are each machine for the selected customer and the service dates or
reason for no service.
I have tried using datasheet view but this is unstable in Access 2003, (it
works OK in the 2002 version).
Click to expand...

How "unstable"? It's got its limitations but the only instability I've
seen is that users can (e.g.) change column widths on their own,
messing up the presentation.
I have been advised not to use the subform datasheet method by an 'MVP' on
this site, but no alternative was suggested. I do not know how else to
display the data.
Click to expand...

A Continuous Form is the usual alternative. You can lay out the fields
wherever you like (and they'll stay there despite the dratted users
<g>); if you line up textboxes side by side at the very top of the
detail section, putting Labels in the form header above them, and snug
the bottom of the detail section up to the bottom of the controls,
you'll get the "look" of a datasheet but give you more flexibility and
control.


John W. Vinson[MVP]
 
Al,
I have redesigned using continuous form instead of datasheet, it works to a
point.
Actually it works on my home desktop and laptop, when I put it on the
company laptop I still get problems.
The subform cell contents flicker in the continuous form, they were flashing
on and off in the datasheet form, so it is better.
But with the update, now the first field of values is blank until I move the
mouse down the column, (not touching any buttons).
If there are no known problems between the two versions of Access, it has to
be the company laptops or installation, it is the same on all company laptops
I mail it to.
Your suggestion has made a big improvement, thanks for the input.
Mike.
 
The data is only for one year, we use a fresh empty copy for each year,
archiving the previuos. We only search by machine number, customer name or
technician name.

The instability seems to be a refresh problem. The cells fill from the top,
then start blanking from the bottom, then refill, this goes on until you
click a row selector in the datasheet.

I have now changed to continuous form.
Again, I have no problems on my owm desktop and laptop using Access 2002.
When I put it on the company laptop using Access 2003, the cell contents
flicker and thre first field does not fill untill I move the mouse down the
field from the top, (not pressing any buttons).

Having now tried two methods of display and getting problems with both, It
is either the different versions of Access, or a problem on the company
laptops.
I mail this data to a few people and all complain of the same problem.

Thanks for your help to date.

John Vinson said:
My database shows service dates for machines
The coloumns are machine type, serial number, & 12 months, (Jan, Feb, March,
etc)
Click to expand...

Then your table design IS WRONG.

Storing data - a month - in a column name is not a good idea. Is the
data in [Jan] for January 2006? January 2007? January 1994? How can
you tell??? If you want to sort chronologically or search by a date
range, you're out of luck with your current design.

I'd really suggest a different design:

Machines
SerialNumber <Primary Key>
MachineType
CustomerID
<other fields about the machine itself>

Services
ServiceID <Autonumber Primary Key>
SerialNumber <link to Machines>
ServiceDate <date/time>
ServiceReason
The rows are each machine for the selected customer and the service dates or
reason for no service.
I have tried using datasheet view but this is unstable in Access 2003, (it
works OK in the 2002 version).
Click to expand...

How "unstable"? It's got its limitations but the only instability I've
seen is that users can (e.g.) change column widths on their own,
messing up the presentation.
I have been advised not to use the subform datasheet method by an 'MVP' on
this site, but no alternative was suggested. I do not know how else to
display the data.
Click to expand...

A Continuous Form is the usual alternative. You can lay out the fields
wherever you like (and they'll stay there despite the dratted users
<g>); if you line up textboxes side by side at the very top of the
detail section, putting Labels in the form header above them, and snug
the bottom of the detail section up to the bottom of the controls,
you'll get the "look" of a datasheet but give you more flexibility and
control.


John W. Vinson[MVP]
Click to expand...
 
The instability seems to be a refresh problem. The cells fill from the top,
then start blanking from the bottom, then refill, this goes on until you
click a row selector in the datasheet.
Click to expand...

One thing to try is to select Tools... Options... General and TURN OFF
the "Track Name Autocorrect" feature. This is one symptom that this
misfeature causes!

John W. Vinson[MVP]
 
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