ACC: Form Opened in Form View Is Completely Blank

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

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

When you open a form in Form view, it is completely blank. The form seems to have no controls or text.

CAUSE

Typically this happens because a query returns no records, or privileges have been limited.

A form can also be blank if the header and footer sections occupy so much space that there is no room for the detail section.

RESOLUTION

If the form is based on a query, run the query. If the query returns no datasheet cells in which to enter data, then there is a problem with the query (such as unjoined tables). A good query returns empty cells even if the tables are empty.

Also, controls located in form header or footer sections are always visible, even when privilege limits or empty recordsets prevent the display of controls located in the detail section. Therefore, when you design a form, place necessary controls, such as command buttons and check boxes, in the form header or footer section. Also, you should ensure that each recordset contains at least one record.

Finally, try reducing the size of the header and footer sections to allow more room for the detail section.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

A blank form may be displayed in the following situations:

1. The form is based on a query that contains a one-to-many join, and the query returns no records.

2. The form is not updatable at all. It is a read-only form with the AllowUpdating property set to No Tables, or it is a static form that displays results by using a GROUP BY clause or a DISTINCT operator.

3. The form is based on a query that contains a one-to-one join, and one of the tables is in a read-only database.

4. The form is based on a query that contains a many-to-one inner join, and the query does not contain all the joined columns of the many-side table.

5. The form is based on a query that includes an updatable remote table but does not include all the columns that make up the primary key.

6. The form is read-only and is based on an empty table.

Steps to Reproduce Situation 1

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x and 2.0).

2. Change the Sales By Category query by placing IS NULL in the criteria cell for the CategoryName field.

   NOTE: In Microsoft Access 1.x or 2.0, there is a space in the Category Name field.

3. Create a new form based on the modified query, and place some fields and a command button in the form's detail section.

4. View the form in Form view. Note that a blank form is displayed.

Steps to Reproduce Situation 6

1. Create a new table. Do not enter any data.

2. Create a new form based on the table. Add a command button and make the form read-only.

3. View the form in Form view. Note that a blank form is displayed.

REFERENCES

For more information about this topic, type "empty form" in the Office Assistant, click Search, and then click to view "Troubleshoot forms."