This article describes how to start a macro, a function, or another
Microsoft Windows-based application by selecting it from a combo box or
list box on a Microsoft Access form.
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The following steps describe how to create a combo box or list box that you
can use to start a macro, a function, or another Windows-based application:
| 1. | Create the following table to supply the combo box or list box with a
list of available items:
Table: Activities
---------------------------
Field Name: ItemName
Data Type: Text
Field Size: 50
Field Name: ItemDescription
Data Type: Text
Field Size: 50
Field Name: ItemType
Data Type: Text
Field Size: 12
|
| 2. | Fill the table you created in step 1 with the macros, functions, and
Windows-based applications that you want to be listed in the combo box
or list box. Note that any applications listed in the table must be .com
or .exe files. You cannot include .hlp or other non-executable files
from a macro. Use the following tags in the ItemType field:
Item ItemType
------------------------------
macro Macro
function Function
Windows application App
For example, you might create the following entries in the table:
ItemName ItemDescription ItemType
-------------------------------------------------------
C:\WINDOWS\CALC.EXE Run Windows Calculator App
Notepad Run Windows Notepad App
Macro1 Run Macro 1 Macro
MyFunc() Run MyFunc() Function
|
| 3. | Create a new, blank form.
|
| 4. | Add a combo box or list box with the following properties to the form:
Combo or List Box
---------------------------------------------------
Name: cboSelect
RowSourceType: Table/Query
RowSource: Activities (the table created in step 1)
ColumnCount: 3
ColumnWidths: 0; 2; 0
BoundColumn: 1
AfterUpdate: mcrMyForm.Main
|
| 5. | Save the form as MyForm.
|
| 6. | Create a new macro with the following actions. Save the macro as
mcrMyForm. (NOTE: If the Conditions column is not visible, click
Conditions on the View menu.)
Condition Action
----------------------------------------------------------
Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect].Column(2)="Macro" RunMacro
Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect].Column(2)="Function" RunCode
Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect].Column(2)="App" RunApp
mcrMyForm Actions
-----------------------------------------------
RunMacro
MacroName: =Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect]
RunCode
FunctionName: =Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect]
RunApp
ApplicationName: =Forms![MyForm]![cboSelect]
|
| 7. | View the MyForm form in Form view. Select any entry in the combo box or
list box to start the associated item.
|
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For more information about using a combo box, search the Help Index for
"creating combo boxes," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office
Assistant.
For more information about using a list box, search the Help Index for
"creating list boxes," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.
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This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.
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