ACC: Wide Subform Does Not Scroll to Show Active Control

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

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

The insertion point disappears when you use the TAB key to move between the controls on a subform that is wider than the main-form window or the screen.

CAUSE

When you move from one control to another on a form, the form updates the screen to display the active control and scrolls the window if necessary. However, a subform is a single control on a form, and it remains selected while the insertion point is anywhere within it. The screen does not scroll to show the active control in a subform because the subform itself is considered to be the active control. Note that this behavior does not apply to subforms in Datasheet view.

RESOLUTION

Use the horizontal scroll bar to see the active control on the subform.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

CAUTION: Following the steps in this example will modify the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in version 2.0 or earlier). You may want to back up the Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB) file and perform these steps on a copy of the database.

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x or 2.0)

2. Open the Orders Subform form in Design view.

3. Change the DefaultView property from Datasheet to Single Form.

4. Change the Width property of the form to 16 inches.

5. Drag the Discount text box to the right edge of the form.

6. Save and then close the form.

7. Open the Orders form in Design view.

8. Change the Width property of the form to 17 inches.

9. Change the Width subform control to 16 inches.

10. Save the Orders form, and then view it in Form view.

11. Use the TAB key to move through the fields on the form. Note that when the insertion point moves from the Quantity field to the Discount field, the insertion point disappears from the screen.

REFERENCES

For more information about using main and subforms, search the Help Index for "creating forms, subforms."