AboutScottgem Expertise I can answer almost all types of questions relating to Microsoft Access usage and application design. My strengths are database and interface design.
Experience I've been designing databases for over 15 years working with dBase, FoxPro, Approach and Access.
Organizations Author of Microsoft Office Access 2007 VBA Techncial Editor for Special Edition Using Microsoft Access 2007 and Access 2007 Forms, Reports & Queries From Que Publishing
Basically, I don't want users to be able to edit the data in the Form view at all. I just want them to be able to search and view the data. I will make all of the necessary data changes. I know this is opposite to the norm but I don't trust my users enough to give them the responsibility to keep the data accurate. How can I achieve this?
The reason why I wanted the Find dialog box to open automatically is so they when a user accesses the Form they have to enter the details of whom they require information about without having to click into any of the fields.
If we can lock users from altering data, but do they can still search the fields then I won't need the Find dialogue box to open automatically.
Thanks again,
Gary
Answer That's fine, if you don't want users to edit the data, then set the Allow Edit, Allow Additions and Allow Deletion properties of the form to No and then will not be able to add, change or delete records thru the form. Many of my apps assign a user level to specified users. Depending on the user level I will turn those properties on or off when the form loads.
As for searching, I train my users to use the Filter by Form feature. This feature turns a form into a query by example, where the user can enter or select criteria on which to search. Generally I have a form that explains how to use it and put a help button on the forms that pops up that help form.
If they will be doing exact match searches on only one or two fields, you can use a search form with unbound comboboxes, and base the form on a query that is filtered by those selections. Alternatively, you can use a search combo on the form, but in that case you will need to set the locked propery of each control rather then set Allow Edits to no.
