ACC: "Invalid Bracketing of Name <Expression Object>" Error

• Microsoft Access versions 2.0, 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

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

When you run an ApplyFilter, OpenForm, or OpenReport action using a macro or custom function with a Where Condition argument, you may receive an error message such as the following:

    In Microsoft Access 97:

       Invalid bracketing of name '[Forms]![FormName]![Control.Name]'

    In Microsoft Access 2.0 and 7.0:

       'Forms![FormName]![Control.Name]' isn't a valid parameter name.

CAUSE

The Where Condition argument references a form control containing a dot (.) or an exclamation (!) in its name.

RESOLUTION

Rename the control and omit the dot or the exclamation point.

MORE INFORMATION

The dot (.) and the exclamation point (!) have a special meaning in Microsoft Access. They are identifier operators you use to refer to objects, controls, collections, or properties as follows:

   Forms![FormName]![ControlName].property

To prevent reference problems, use letters, numbers, spaces, or the underscore character (_) when you assign object names; do not use any punctuation mark except the underscore character.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

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

2. Create the following new macro and save it as Print Label Macro:

         Macro Name          Action
         ------------------------------
         Print Label Macro   OpenReport
   
         Print Label Macro Actions
         --------------------------------------------------------------
         OpenReport
            Report Name: Customer Labels ( or Customer Mailing Labels in
                                           Microsoft Access 2.0)
            View: Print Preview
            Where Condition: [CustomerID]=Forms![Customers2]![Cust.ID]
   
      NOTE: [Customer ID] contains a space in Microsoft Access 2.0.
   
   

3. Make a copy of the Customers form and saved it as Customers2.

4. Open the Customers2 form in Design view.

5. Select the CustomerID control and change its Name property to Cust.ID.

6. Add a command button to the Customers2 form and set the following properties:

         Command Button:
            Name: Button1
            Caption: Print Label
            OnClick: Print Label Macro
   
   

7. View the Customers2 form in Form view.

8. Click the Print Label Button. In the Country Filter dialog box, click All Countries, and then click OK. Note that you receive the error message mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.

REFERENCES