List box's vs. subforms?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kelly draper via AccessMonster.com
  • Start date Start date
K

kelly draper via AccessMonster.com

currently I'm using a bunch of subforms in an informational read-only DB
for my call center. users type in a zipcode or a city name into a text box
I use as a search box and then a bunch of different subforms bring back a
bunch of different info from a different tables about that zipcode or city
they typed in that pertains to different elements of the business (i.e. 1
subform lists all contractors for their search, another lists pertinent
phone numbers for divisions for their search, another lists available
supplies and rates for their search, etc.) but it's all for info purposes
only. users dont change anything. its just a look up tool so they dont have
to be subforms. they could just as easily be listboxes that requery with
the OnUpdate of the search box.
question is, are there benefits to using listboxes instead of subforms for
read only info. are there down-sides? is it faster to load a listbox with a
query for a rowsource than it is to load a subform, or vis versa? would my
app load faster(cuz right now it's initial start-up is slooow)

thanks for your help
Kelly D.
 
Well the subform would be slower for a number of reasons,

they have to deal with recordset, locking moving backward and forward with
in the recordset (cursors), the listbox (which I use extensively) is read
only populated when I want with the data that I want no record locking
problems, no database cursors once the data is loaded, and no users
struggling with the navigation of subforms. I think your on the right track,
if it is read only why have it in a subform.

Now if you use a tab control with lots of listboxes rather than subforms, in
all the tests that I have run on some large tab controlled forms the listbox
wins on performance, because your data is for viewing only you are in the
perfect situation for listboxes.

My vote go for listboxes.... (or at least test them)
 
Thank you.
sounds like a pretty cut and dry answer to my question.
honestly, I was kinda hoping that listboxes were going to have benefits cuz
i'd rather use them anyway cuz when you click an entry in a listbox, the
whole row highlights so it's easier to reference visually. subforms, not so
much. plus in subforms you click and get the cursor blinking in the field.
its just a mess. i've been looking for something logical to motivate me to
recreate this app with listboxs and your answer will be my personal
justification to do so. (I'm just coo-coo like that.)
 
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