ACC: How to Start a Macro from a Combo Box List of Names

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

SUMMARY

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

This article describes how to start a macro, a function, or another Microsoft Windows-based application by selecting it from a combo box or list box on a Microsoft Access form.

MORE INFORMATION

The following steps describe how to create a combo box or list box that you can use to start a macro, a function, or another Windows-based application:

1. Create the following table to supply the combo box or list box with a list of available items:

         Table: Activities
         ---------------------------
         Field Name: ItemName
            Data Type: Text
            Field Size: 50
         Field Name: ItemDescription
            Data Type: Text
            Field Size: 50
         Field Name: ItemType
            Data Type: Text
            Field Size: 12
   
   

2. Fill the table you created in step 1 with the macros, functions, and Windows-based applications that you want to be listed in the combo box or list box. Note that any applications listed in the table must be .com or .exe files. You cannot include .hlp or other non-executable files from a macro. Use the following tags in the ItemType field:

         Item                  ItemType
         ------------------------------
         macro                 Macro
         function              Function
         Windows application   App
   
      For example, you might create the following entries in the table:
   
         ItemName              ItemDescription          ItemType
         -------------------------------------------------------
         C:\WINDOWS\CALC.EXE   Run Windows Calculator   App
         Notepad               Run Windows Notepad      App
         Macro1                Run Macro 1              Macro
         MyFunc()              Run MyFunc()             Function
   
   

3. Create a new, blank form.

4. Add a combo box or list box with the following properties to the form:

         Combo or List Box
         ---------------------------------------------------
         Name: cboSelect
         RowSourceType: Table/Query
         RowSource: Activities (the table created in step 1)
         ColumnCount: 3
         ColumnWidths: 0; 2; 0
         BoundColumn: 1
         AfterUpdate: mcrMyForm.Main
   

5. Save the form as MyForm.

6. Create a new macro with the following actions. Save the macro as mcrMyForm. (NOTE: If the Conditions column is not visible, click Conditions on the View menu.)

         Condition                                         Action
         ----------------------------------------------------------
         Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect].Column(2)="Macro"      RunMacro
         Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect].Column(2)="Function"   RunCode
         Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect].Column(2)="App"        RunApp
   
         mcrMyForm Actions
         -----------------------------------------------
         RunMacro
            MacroName: =Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect]
         RunCode
            FunctionName: =Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect]
         RunApp
            ApplicationName: =Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect]
   
   

7. View the MyForm form in Form view. Select any entry in the combo box or list box to start the associated item.

REFERENCES

For more information about using a combo box, search the Help Index for "creating combo boxes," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.