When you use Forms design view, you might wind up spending half your time searching for all the tools you need and toggling between views. Access offers a number of shortcut keys that can eliminate much of the time spent finding (and then opening and closing) menus, toolbars, and windows.
For example, to get directly to Forms Design view from the database window, click on the form name under Objects, and press [Ctrl][Enter]. To toggle from design view to run view, press CTRL+. (period). To toggle back, press CTRL+, (comma). To see other available form views, such as datasheet view, keep pressing CTRL+. or CTRL+, until you reach the desired view.
With so many windows in Design view, it's often difficult to see the form. But, you don't have to leave the field list and property window open while you design the form; you can access the field list by pressing [F8]. Press [F4] to display the properties of a selected object.
When adding multiple controls to your form, you can save considerable time by locking down the toolbox tool. Once you lock down the toolbox tool, you don't have to click the toolbar button each time you wish to add the same control to your form. For example, if you want to add several check boxes to a form, double-click the check box tool in the toolbox, and your mouse becomes a check box drawing tool. You can draw as many check boxes as you need without having to click the check box button again. Once you have finished inserting all the check boxes, press ESC or click the tool on the toolbox to unlock the check box tool.
If you have any questions regarding this tip or need help implementing it in your own projects, contact Ranelle Maltas, Application Support Associate, at 472-0585 or e-mail at rmaltas2@unl.edu.
