Multi-form switchboard

D

Dennis Snelgrove

I have an Event Log database (simple front end on local PC/back end on
network drive format. No SQL Server) at work where the actual log
entries are generated by the user filling in one of several different
forms over the course of their work-shift. As the person on shift
receives calls for problems that they have to handle, they currently
click on one of several different Command buttons on the Main form and
that will open the required form. Each of the forms is specialized as
to their content. As each form is completed, it saves the data to the
form's own table, and then it writes a formatted Log entry to a
single "master" table in the database. This master table is the user's
actual Log. Finally, the form closes itself and the user's Log sheet
comes back up, showing a refreshed copy of the user's Log.

Okay, now for what I'm looking for. I programmed this database a few
years ago in Access 97, and it eventually was migrated to Access XP.
The main complaint I've got about it is that the user can only fill in
one form at a time. I have a provision to allow the user to reopen
entries to update them (which in turn updates the master Entry table)
but sometimes we have three or four things on the go at the same time,
and it would really be useful to have the ability to do multiple
concurrent entries. I have a layout in mind for how this should work,
but I'm wondering if anyone knows if there's a sample out there
somewhere on a site that I could look over as a guide.

I figure that I could use a screen layout where I have the various Form
buttons in the Main form footer, along with a Combo box that would be
populated with a list of all currently open entries. Also in the combo
box would be "Log sheet", so the user could flip to his Log sheet
to look something up if needed. If the user had no entries on the go at
the moment, then the only thing in the combo box would be "Log
sheet". If they had two different instances of any forms open, then
there would be three entries in the combo box; "Log sheet" and two
references to the currently open entries. When the user clicks a combo
box entry or opens a new Entry form, it would open to take up the bulk
of the screen, and all open forms would be the same size (size being
managed by the program, not by the user). I figured that this could be
accomplished by changing the various form's "Visible" property.

Does anyone know of something like this out there somewhere? Do any
experts know if this would be a feasible way of handling this concept,
or am I asking for a world of trouble by doing it this way? Are there
any alternative suggestions as to how to handle this? Anything would be
appreciated.

Thanks...

Dennis
 
G

Geoff

Dennis,

I recall reading some stuff some time back about creating multiple instances
of the same form using the New keyword and storing the instances in a
collection.

In fact, I've just looked it up - I read it in "Access 2000 Developers
Handbook" by Getz, Litwin and Gilbert, Chapter 8 "Topics in Form Design and
Usage" (page 547). If you can get hold of a copy, the relevant techniques
are nicely explained. Might be worth checking out if you don't get a better
lead.

Regards
Geoff
 

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