ACC2: MS Access 2.0 Processes Properties First, Controls Second

• Microsoft Access version 2.0

SYMPTOMS

Unexpected behaviors occur on forms and reports when controls on forms and reports have the same names as properties.

CAUSE

In Microsoft Access version 2.0, the Microsoft Jet database engine processes references to properties first, and references to control names second.

RESOLUTION

The best solution is to make sure that control names do not match existing property names. You can see a complete list of property names by searching for "reserved words," and then "Programming Topics" using the Microsoft Access Help menu.

Another solution is to use the complete form or report reference for referring to controls on forms and reports. For information about control references, search for "referring to controls," and then "Referring to Controls on a Form or Report" using the Microsoft Access Help menu.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Create a new, blank form in Microsoft Access version 2.0.

2. Add a text box to the form. Set the text box's Name property to Visible, and its DefaultValue property to 0.

3. Add a command button to the form. Set the command button's OnClick property to the following macro:

         Action: SetValue
         Item: [Visible]
         Expression: Not [Visible]
   

4. View the form in Form view.

5. Click the command button. Note that the entire form disappears, instead of just the Visible text box.

REFERENCES

For information about how the Name property is an exception to this rule when you are using an unconverted version 1.x database file in version 2.0, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: