ACC1x: Typing in Combo Box Does Not Select Item

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1

SYMPTOMS

Typing a value in a combo box does not automatically select that value in the combo box.

CAUSE

The LimitToList property of the combo box is set to No.

RESOLUTION

Change the LimitToList property of the combo box to Yes.

STATUS

This problem no longer occurs in Microsoft Access version 2.0.

MORE INFORMATION

The LimitToList property determines if a combo box can accept new items. If the property is set to No, characters typed in the combo box cannot be used to select a list item because Microsoft Access does not know if you are entering a new value or want an existing value from the combo box.

If the LimitToList property is set to Yes, the combo box cannot accept new values. This enables Microsoft Access to use the characters you type for selecting a list item.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Open the sample database NWIND.MDB.

2. Open the Suppliers form in Design view.

3. Select the combo box at the bottom of the form.

         Object: Combo box
         -----------------
         ControlName: Company Pick List
            RowSourceType: Table/Query
            RowSource: Supplier List
            LimitToList: Yes
   
   

4. Set the LimitToList property to No.

5. View the form in Form view.

6. Click the arrow beside the combo box to open the combo box.

7. Begin typing "Bigfoot Breweries" (without the quotation marks) and note that Bigfoot Breweries is not automatically selected until the last character is typed.

REFERENCES

For more information on properties, search for "property sheet" then "property sheet" using the Microsoft Help menu.

Microsoft Access "User's Guide," version 1.0, Chapter 9, "Designing Forms," pages 244-245