Switchboards not working

[Guest]

I can not get the switchboards to work as I need. When I use the switchboard
manager and create the default board linked to specific forms, reports and so
on I'm ok.

I need to link to more than 8 items, so I've establish a main switchboard
(default), which links to other switchboards, which then links to the form,
report... I can't get the default switchboard to do anything. The names I've
given to the other switchboards that should be link showed, but when clicked
I go no where.

Anyone able to help a rookie?

 

[Guest]

I've been using Access for 5+ years, and I still hate switchboards. I don't
use them. Instead, I use an autoexec macro to open and maximize a form when
the database is opened. I set this up as my switchboard. I place either
hyperlinks or buttons that link to the reports, forms, queries, etc. that I
want listed on the form. For subforms, I simply link to another form that
I've set up myself. I personally find this easier to use than switchboards.
But you may prefer switchboards...

GwenH

 

[Guest]

Ok, then maybe a switchboard isnt the option, but what you've just suggested
is newer to me that switchboards. Can you provide a little guidance on how to
create what you're suggesting?

 

[Guest]

First, go into the Macros group and click on "New" in the upper left corner
of your screen. This will open a new macro in design view. Under the Action
column, select "OpenForm" from the dropdown list. You'll need to have already
created the form that will serve as the "main" switchboard. In the Action
Arguments window at the bottom (F6 to toggle to it), select the name of your
form. Switch back to the top window, and type whatever you want under
comments. Then go to the second row, select Maximize, and type whatever
comment you want. This will maximize the form to fit the screen. Save the
macro under the name "autoexec" so that it executes when the database is
opened.

On your "main" switchboard/form, you can insert buttons or hyperlinks that
lead to other objects in the database, such as forms (which could also serve
as switchboards), reports, queries, etc. If you've worked with forms in
design view, then you should know how to do this. If not, reply to this
message and I'll try my best to get you pointed in the right direction.

 

[Guest]

Mike I understand your frustration and it is actually an EASY mistake to make
(I have been using Access for almost 5 years and STILL do it sometimes) but
it is just as easy to correct:


When you fist opne the switchboard manager, you see a list of the available
switchbaords, this is where you will add the "main switchboards" up to 7, ( I
leave one for exiting the application) I have a switchboard that has a
"Reports", "Data Entry" and "Maintenance Data Entry" switchboards. These are
the ones that MUST be located on the Main Switchbaord.

After you have added as many switchboard pages as you need, click on "Main
Switchboard (Default)" then click the edit button. Now you will add links to
the other switchboard pages, think of them as progressive webpage links.
Always include a link back to the previous switchboard as a "back" button.

Let me know if this helps or if you need me to clarify anything.

Larry

 

[Ron2005]

The hardest thing about them is remembering that when building
switchboards you need to build from the bottom up.

1) Create all your forms/queries/macros
2) Create a switch board (s) as needed and grouped as desired to get
to those
3) Create the next level up of switch board you want to use to get to
those forms
etc.
etc.

It is possible to put more than 8 on a board but once you do that you
can't use the switchboard editor to do it. And you have to play in the
switchboard table itself. If you do it that way you can also make the
return button always at the same location, but again you CANNOT use the
switchboard editor to play with the table.

Ron