ACC: Null Field's Input Mask Behaves Differently Than Expected

• Microsoft Access versions 2.0, 7.0

SYMPTOMS

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

When you use the TAB key to move to a null field that has an input mask, the input mask does not appear until you begin typing data.

RESOLUTION

If you want the input mask to appear when you use the TAB key to move to a null field, you can create an event procedure that sets the field automatically to Edit mode. This will cause the input mask to appear. The basic steps to do so are as follows:

1. Create a form based on your table with the input mask and open it in Design view.

2. Select the form control bound to the input mask field and view its properties.

3. Set the OnGotFocus property [Event Procedure] to the following procedure by using the Code builder:

         SendKeys "{F2}"
   

4. Save and close the module.

5. View the form in Form view. Note that as you press TAB to move to the null field with an input mask, the input mask appears.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

REFERENCES

For more information about input masks, search on the phrase "input mask," and then view "InputMask Property" using the Answer Wizard from the Microsoft Access for Windows 95 Help menu.