ACC: Bound OLE Object Is Blank in Form View

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

SYMPTOMS

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

If a bound object frame on a form has its ControlSource property set to a field that is not of the type OLE Object, the control will be blank when the form is in Form view. In Datasheet view, the cells for the control contain the words "Invalid Object" or "Long Binary Data," depending on the version of Microsoft Access you are using.

CAUSE

A bound object frame must refer to a field of the type OLE Object in a table or query in order to display anything in Form view. To display an object in this control, the ControlSource property must be set to an OLE Object field. For example, Microsoft Access cannot display the contents of a Text field as an OLE Object. Object frames will appear blank unless there is something to show.

RESOLUTION

Choose an OLE Object field as the ControlSource property setting for the bound frame.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x and 2.0) and create a new form based on the Employees table.

2. Add a bound object frame control to the form.

3. Set the control's ControlSource property to FirstName (or to First Name in versions 1.x and 2.0).

4. Switch the form to Form View. Note that because you are trying to display a Text field (FirstName) in a bound object frame, the object frame is blank in Form view.

5. Switch the form to Design View.

6. Set the ControlSource property to Photo.

7. Switch the form to Form view. Note that the bound object frame now displays a photograph.

REFERENCES

For more information about the bound object frame, search the Help Index for "bound object frame," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.