Microsoft Access 2007 Tips: Spruce Up Your Custom Switchboard Form

Written by: Curt Smothers • Edited by: Michele McDonough
Updated Oct 14, 2009 • Related Guides: Microsoft | Microsoft Access

This is Part 3 in our series on Microsoft Access Switchboard forms. In Part 2 we demonstrated how to create a custom switchboard form. This article shows how to add the finishing touches that improve the look and usefulness of a custom switchboard.

Adding Finishing Touches to a Custom Switchboard Form

As discussed in Part 2 of this series, a custom switchboard form is essentially a page (database form) in your database with navigation buttons. Using the switchboard takes the drudgery out the repetitive tasks you perform with your database. In this article we will show some ways to add a more professional look to your custom switchboard form. We will demonstrate how to:

♦ add a large title to the Form Header

♦ add a graphic logo to the switchboard form

♦ customize a command button with built-in graphics

♦ turn off the form counter and navigation controls

To add a large title to the Form Header

♦ With your switchboard form in the Design View, click on the Title icon in the Controls Group.

◊The Form Header section will open with a highlighted text box. Enter your form title.

The screenshot below illustrates this step:

To add a graphic logo to the Switchboard Form

Before you can add a logo or other graphic to a switchboard form, the graphic file must already be stored on your computer. Do the following steps:

♦ Open the form in Design view.

♦ Click on the Logo icon in the Controls Group.

♦ The Insert Picture dialog box will open.

♦ Select the graphic file. The graphic file will appear in the Form Header.

The screenshot below illustrates these steps:

To customize a Command Button with built-in graphics

♦ Follow Step 3 in the Bright Hub Article, “Create an Application with a Custom Switchboard.” Step through the the Command Button wizard until you reach the dialog box illustrated in the screenshot below.

♦ Select a built-in Microsoft Access button picture. (Note: You can select one of your own by clicking on the "Browse..." button and add a .bmp file stored on your computer.

The screenshot below illustrates this step:

To turn off the Form Counter and Navigation Controls

To disable the unnecessary form counter and navigation arrows on the custom switchboard form, do the following steps:

♦ Open the switchboard form in Design View.

♦ Open the Form Property Sheet by double clicking in the upper left hand corner below the form command ribbon.

♦ Select the Format tab/Navigation Buttons (19th item down between “Record Selectors and “Navigation Caption "). In the dropdown box in the right column, change the “Yes” to a “No.”

The screenshots below illustrate how to disable the Record Counter and Navigation Buttons: