Tip of the Month:  June 2007

Microsoft Access: Use three properties to make data entry easier in Access

While you can use the Form Wizard to create forms quickly in Access, the forms it produces are not always as user friendly as you might want. By adjusting just a few form control properties, you can make it easier to work with the forms.

For example, a memo control has a number of properties that make it easier for a user to enter data. These controls are not set for ordinary text controls. However, if users only need to enter 100 words or so, you might want to use a text control instead of a memo control—but be sure it's just as easy to work with the text control.

1. Open the Properties of the text control.
2. On the Format tab, click the Scroll Bars property and choose Vertical from the drop-down list.
3. On the Other tab in the Enter Key Behavior box, choose New Line In Field.
4. On the Other tab in the Allow AutoCorrect box, choose Yes.
5. Now users will be able to scroll through the text box, press ENTER to start a new line, and have their entries corrected with AutoCorrect as they type.

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.