Searching for a record based on a text box value in a form

There are times, when developing your Microsoft Access databases, that you may wish to allow your users to search for a record in the form that contains a certain value which will be entered into a textbox.

Related Tutorials

Update a text box to a value when a new record is created
In an Access 2003/XP/2000/97 form, I want to check when the user adds a new record (is there any relevant event?) so that I can load a default date value in a text box. I tried to go to a new record each time the form was loaded, but that resulted in numerous unwanted records. How can I avoid this?

Set focus on first text box on first tab page and go to next record
In Access 2003/XP/2000/97, I have a form with a main tab box (created with a tab control) with multiple tab pages. When the user is on the last text box on the last tab page and presses the tab key, how can I set the focus to the first text box on the first tab page and go to the next record in the form?

Text box in a form
Can I use a data from text box in a form from last record as default data in text box in a form form present record?

Enable users to find a record by selecting a value from a list
When you design a form in Access, you can create a list box (list box: A control that provides a list of choices. A list box consists of a list and an optional label.) or a combo box (combo box: A control used on a form that provides the combined functionality of a list box and a text box. You can type a value in a combo box, or you can click the control to display a list and then select an item from that list.) that can be used to find a record when a value is selected from the list. This makes it easier for users to quickly find existing records without having to type a value into the Find dialog box.

Filter a query based on a text box value
I have an Access 2003/XP/2000/97 database that contains a form called Orders. I want to be able to create a query that returns the currently selected record from the Orders form. How can I do this?

Forms, Combo box based on another combo box
I have a combo box on a form which picks up a company, its address, phone etc. The same company can go into multiple records on the form. What my problem is that there are several contact people for each company and what I would like to know is if there is any way I can select the company for a particular record and then be able to select one contact out of the several that belong to the company. I have been to the Microsoft site and have looked at what they have which are 2 combo boxes based on 2 tables but when I try to make mine work I'm not having much success. I'm not sure whether I'm not working out the code correctly.

Combo box based on another combo box
I have a combo box on a form which picks up a company, its address, phone etc. The same company can go into multiple records on the form. What my problem is that there are several contact people for each company and what I would like to know is if there is any way I can select the company for a particular record and then be able to select one contact out of the several that belong to the company. I have been to the Microsoft site and have looked at what they have which are 2 combo boxes based on 2 tables but when I try to make mine work I'm not having much success. I'm not sure whether I'm not working out the code correctly. My Access skills are self-taught - I have no programming skills.

Filter a query based on data entered in a text box
In Access 2003/XP/2000/97, I need to search for all Usernames containing 'ahm'. I want to create a form with a text box and a button. In the text box, I want to enter the search criteria and then click on the button to open the query displaying only the results where the Username field contains the value entered in the text box. How can I do this?

Passing a variable's content from one form to another's SQL string
Access 2003. On one form is a text box and command button. I enter CO*, for example in the text box and press the command button. In the command button's click event, the value of the text box, here CO* is assigned to a Public variable StringToUse. Then a Docmd opens another form. In this forms Record Set property I have placed the SQL code: SELECT * FROM tblMain WHERE LastName LIKE 'StringToUse'; I want this code to use the CO* in StringToUse to select the records. It appears StringToUse is empty when the second form is opened. Am I declaring StringToUse improperly, and/or is my SQL string incorrect?

Refreshing data on a child one-many form
I have a one to many relationship on a form/subform. I have buttons on the subform that basically will automatically add a new record to the table the subform is based on. I am using the sql "insert" clause to add the record - which it is dong just fine. However, I have tried the .refresh and .requery commands and neither seem to be able to display the new record automatically in the list. I have to exit the screen and come back in before the new record is displayed. WHat method can I use to cause the new record to be displayed on the child form right away?

Add a text box control to a form or report
The text box is the standard control used for viewing and editing data on forms and reports. Many different types of data can be displayed in text boxes, and you can also use them to perform calculations. This article explains how to create and use a text box and also explains some important text box properties. What do you want to do: Add a bound text box, Add an unbound text box, Add a calculated text box, Understand text box properties.

Filter records based on a combo box selection
I'm using Access 2003/XP/2000/97 and I need to figure out how to display the record details based on a combo box selection. For example, when I select a CustomerID in a combo box, how do I get the related customer name and address information to appear?

How to: Display a Custom Dialog Box When the User Deletes a Record
When you select a record on a form and delete it, Access displays a dialog box asking the user to confirm the deletion of the record. Learn how to use the BeforeDelConfirm event procedure to display a custom dialog box when the user deletes a record.

Update from Subform
I have a form that displays customer order information, and a subform that show the individual items ordered and not shipped. on the subform I have a check box on each item ordered line. The user can select one or more of these items to ship by checking the check box, and by clicking a command button on the main form. How do I update th order record or records with quantiy shipped based on the check box?

Populate one combo box based on the selection of another combo box
In Access 2003/XP/2000/97, I have a combo box that displays values based on the selection of another combo box. My problem is that when I make a different selection in the first combo box, the text in the second combo box does not change. Although the drop-down items are correctly changed in the second combo box. I have tried to requery but it doesn't work! Any suggestions?

Searching Records using a Microsoft Access List Box
In this article, we demonstrate how we can use a list box to pass criteria through to a search, allowing us to open a form (in this case) and return a specified result. This is similar to using a combo box to perform the same action.

Using a Combo Box to Find Records
It is possible to use an unbound combo box in the header of a form as a means of record navigation. The idea is to select an entry from the drop-down list, and have Access take you to that record.

cbo box to subform + add records
I want to have a combo box select a record and display that record's information in the subform. This can be based directly on the table, or from a qry (I already have a query because I use an expression for a concatenated lname & fname & dob elsewhere). I've accomplished this by having the cboSelectedPatient on the main form, and appropriately linking the master & child link properties, and requerying "On Update". ...

Macro Conditional If Record Not Found
I've been trying to make a macro conditional that attempts to find a record in query X and if no such record exists, to go to form Y, however, if a record does exist, go to form Z. If I only want form X opened if such a record does not exist, wouldn't I use a conditional to cross reference the entry on a form "A" with the selected field after the FINDRECORD?? Is there an easier way?

Sub-form Button Function Question
I have a relationship database with a primary group, family group, and company group. Each of these groups has a separate table and form with 4th table defining the relationship. We regularly add records to the database and to make it easy have created an add-record form based on the primary group. Within this form we have embedded sub forms for the family, company, and even the relationship groups. All of this works well with the exception of the "goto last record" button I have created for each of these forms. The button works if you open any single form on it's own, but none of them work when you open the "add new record" form. Darned if we can figure out why. There is no error message, it just doesn't go to the last record, or any record for that matter.

Change the appearance of a control by using conditional formatting
Conditional formatting allows you to selectively highlight certain data on your form or report so that it is easier to understand. For example, you might want to format negative numbers in a red font to make it clear that those records need further attention. You can set conditional formatting for a text box or a combo box control. You can change the formatting based on the control's own value, or you can use an expression to change the formatting based on the values contained in other fields or controls. On a form, you can use conditional formatting to disable a control, and you can cause the formatting of a control to change when the cursor is positioned in that control. What do you want to do?: *Apply conditional formatting to a control based on its own value *Use an expression to apply conditional formatting to one or more controls *Change the formatting of a control on a form that has the focus *Remove conditional formatting from one or more controls *Create alternating row colors on a report

Conditionally change the background color of a text box on a Continuous Form in Access 2003/XP/2000
Question: In Access 2003/XP/2000/97, how can I change the background color of a text box containing a date value on a Continuous Form? I would like to set the color individually on each record.

Form for data entry
I created a form that I wanted to use for data entry. It is based on a query that involves only two simple tables. When I try to enter data - a new record - there is no blank new record available. How do I use this form for data entry? I've seen a reference to a data entry property but can't find it. I'm using MS Access 2007.

Establish tab order between objects in tab control pages
In Access 2003/XP/2000/97, I have a form with a main tab box (created with a tab control) with four tabs on it and each tab has a number of text boxes on it. I have indexed these tabs so when the user tabs across, it goes from one tab page to another. However when it reaches the last text box on a particular tab instead of going to the next tab, it goes to the next record.

Create a control that references a control on another form
This article describes you how to add a text box control to a form, and then set the properties for that text box so that it displays a value from a control on another form.

Formatting Charts
A chart created using the New Form dialog box is positioned on a form. As such, the form acts as its parent. The chart can only fit inside of the form. Based on this, you can enlarge a form to make available more space for the chart. After enlarging and/or heightening a form, you can increase the side of the chart to have a bigger picture and better appreciate a chart.

Searching 6 fields all optional
Hi, Could you possibly help with this... ? I have a second problem which I would love to get some help on, I've hit a brick wall with it. I have a form which has 6 search fields on it. They are used to search for data in the "applicants" form. They are: First Name Last Name Company Post Code Telephone Number Applicant ref I want the user to be able to search on 1 or more or all fields. I appreciate that if the data in one of those fieds is invalid and does not appear in a record then it will not show the resulting record. Although if they enter 3 fields with correct data to minimise returned records to a more accurate set BUT they leave the other 3 fields blank, then I need the query to ignore the blank fields.

SubForm-2nd Subform Combo box Question
I have a combo box on a sub form. Based on the choice, I want another combo box on the sub-sub form to have a selected choice. I've tried to have the choice change the Row Source on the 2nd combo box but I've been unsuccessful. Both of the combo boxes are bound, so cascading them didn't work.

Make controls stretch, shrink, or move as you resize a form
By default, the controls on a form stay anchored to the upper-left corner of the form, and do not resize when you resize the form. To change this behavior, you can use the Anchoring command. For example, you can configure a text box so that it stretches down and to the right as the form becomes larger. This lets you see more text in the control.

Create a form where you can search any text field in a table
In Access 2003/XP/2000/97, I'd like to have a button on a form that when clicked will open a popup form. On the popup form, the user can select (from a combo box) one of the field names contained on the original form and text to search on.

Create a form where you can perform both text and numeric searches
I'd like to have a button on a form that when clicked will open a popup form. On the popup form, the user can select (from a combo box) one of the field names contained on the original form and perform either a text search or a mathematical search.

Change the background color of a text box based on whether a value has been entered in Access 2003
Question: In Access 2003/XP/2000/97, how can I apply a conditional format on a text box? I want to change the background color to red from white when the text box has not been filled in (null value). How do I do this?

Leaving a combo box blank
I have a form which runs a query based on a date selection from a combo box. I need to have an option whereby if you leave the combo box blank all records are selected. Is there a way to do this?

Display a particular subform based on a combo box selection
In Access 2003/XP/2000/97, I need to figure out how to display a particular subform on a main form (I have 3 subforms) based on a combo box selection.

Displaying Custom Dialog Boxes for Custom Delete Actions in Access 2007
In Microsoft Office Access 2007, when the user selects and deletes a record on a form, Access displays a dialog box that asks the user to confirm that she wants to delete the record. In some cases, you may want to suppress this dialogue box.

Use the Form Wizard in Access 2007
The Form Wizard in Access 2007 creates a form from one or more tables or queries. It will ask you detailed questions about the fields, layout and record sources, and the desired format and creates a form based on those responses. The Form Wizard will be most useful to a user who does not already know Structured Query Language. Here's how to use the Form Wizard in Access 2007.

Synchronizing Combo Boxes on Forms in Access 2007
When you build custom Microsoft Office Access 2007 applications, there are often situations where it is useful to synchronize two combination boxes (combo boxes) on an Access 2007 form so that when you select an item in the first combo box, that selection limits the choices in the second combo box. For example, it might be necessary to limit the products that are displayed in a combo box based on the category that is selected in another combo box. The Access 2007 combo box control generates the AfterUpdate event when an item in the combo box is selected. This article illustrates how to use the combo box AfterUpdate event to synchronize two combo boxes on an Access 2007 form.

Input Box
Although most of the user's data entry will be performed on fields positioned on a form, you can display a special form to the user and expect a value. This form (actually a dialog box) is called an input box.

Text-Based Controls: The Label
A label is a control that serves as a guide to the user. It provides a static text that the user cannot change but can read to get information about another control on the form. You can also use it to display simple information to the user. Most controls on the form are not explicit at first glance and the user would not know what they are. Therefore, you can assign a label to the control as a help to the user. Topcis: The Label, The Text Box, The Command Buttons, Combo and List Boxes, Radio Buttons, Check Boxes and Toggle Buttons.

Searching for a record based on a text box value in a form

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