ACC: Using SendKeys to Change Option Menus

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 7.0, 97

SUMMARY

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

In a Microsoft Access macro, a SendKeys action must precede the DoMenuItem action when you need to send keystrokes to a dialog window. For example, when a DoMenuItem action opens the Print dialog to change a printing parameter, the SendKeys keystrokes remain in the buffer and do not run if the SendKeys action follows the DoMenuItem action.

MORE INFORMATION

Because opening a dialog window suspends a macro, you must execute the SendKeys action before the dialog opens. The following example demonstrates opening the Print dialog. Try running this macro from a button on a form.

In Microsoft Access 97

   Macro Name     Action         Comment
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   TestSendKeys   SendKeys       Store keystrokes for Print dialog
                  RunCommand     Open Print dialog

   TestSendKeys Actions
   ----------------------------
   SendKeys
      Keystrokes: %g1%t5{ENTER}
      Wait: No
   RunCommand
      Command: Print

In Microsoft Access 7.0

   Macro Name     Action         Comment
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   TestSendKeys   SendKeys       Store keystrokes for Print dialog
                  DoMenuItem     Open Print dialog

   TestSendKeys Actions
   ----------------------------
   SendKeys
      Keystrokes: %g1%t5{ENTER}
      Wait: No
   DoMenuItem
      Menu Bar: Form
      Menu Name: File
      Menu Command: Print

In Microsoft Access 1.x and 2.0

   Macro Name     Action         Comment
   ---------------------------------------------------------------
   TestSendKeys   SendKeys       Store keystrokes for Print dialog
                  DoMenuItem     Open Print dialog

   TestSendKeys Actions
   ----------------------------
   SendKeys
      Keystrokes: %p1%t5{ENTER}
      Wait: No
   DoMenuItem
      Menu Bar: Form
      Menu Name: File
      Menu Command: Print

REFERENCES

For more information about SendKeys, search the Help Index for "SendKeys action."