ACC: Overlapping of Windowed vs. Non-Windowed Controls

• Microsoft Access versions 2.0, 7.0, 97

SUMMARY

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

In Microsoft Access 97, 7.0 and 2.0, you can only overlap controls of the same window type. This is different from the behavior that is present in Microsoft Access 1.x. In Microsoft Access 1.x you can overlay any control over any other control on a form. For example, you can overlap a button control over a list box control.

MORE INFORMATION

Only list boxes and subforms are windowed. All other controls are considered non-windowed, including the labels of list boxes and subforms. Therefore, list boxes and subforms will always remain on top if placed over a non-windowed control even if the other control is selected.

If a list box and a subform overlap, whichever is on top in the form's Design view will remain on top in Form view. Among controls of the same window type, the Send To Back and Bring To Front commands will work correctly. However, both of these commands will be ignored if you are trying to place a windowed control on top of a non-windowed control.

The following example demonstrates this behavior:

1. Create a new form not based on any table or query.

2. Add a list box to the form. If the List Box Wizard starts, click Cancel.

3. Add a text box to the form. Draw the text box so that it overlaps the list box. Note that the list box remains on top.

4. With the text box selected, click Bring To Front on the Format menu. Note that the command is ignored. You cannot put a non-windowed control on top of a windowed control.

In addition, in version 2.0 the Move Enclosed Control setting under View, Options, Form & Report Design indicates whether all the controls contained within the selected control are moved along with it when a control is selected on a form or report. If you set the Move Enclosed Control option to Yes in the Options dialog box, place a label on top of and completely contained within a list box, the label will disappear (because it cannot be on top of the list box.) If you select the list box and move it, the label will move with the list box. To correct this, set the Move Enclosed Control option to No, move the list box, and then set the option back to Yes.

Note that in Microsoft Access 2.0, in a multiuser environment, the Move Enclosed Control option is saved per user. Therefore, overlapping behavior could vary from one user to the next, depending on each user's Move Enclosed Control option setting.

This behavior has been changed in Microsoft Access 97 and 7.0. The label will no longer move if the list box is selected and moved to a different location. The Move Enclosed Control setting no longer exists.