When using Windows Voice Access with a Microsoft Access database, the numbers may not appear for certain editable form fields (for example, First Name or Last Name) when you say “Show numbers.” As a result, you can’t select these fields by speaking the numbered Voice Access commands.
Cause
Windows Voice Access relies on Windows UI Automation to identify and number interactive controls.
Some Microsoft Access form controls—particularly in legacy or highly customized forms—do not consistently expose the required automation properties. This can occur even when the controls appear enabled, visible, and editable in the UI. This is a known platform limitation. You can improve Voice Access compatibility by applying the workarounds described in this topic.
Confirm the form is in Form View
Voice Access does not assign access numbers in Design View or Datasheet View.
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Turn on Voice Access and open the form in Form View.
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Click inside the form background.
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Say “Show numbers”.
Verify control properties
In Design View, select the affected text box (for example, First Name) and confirm the following properties:
|
Property |
Required value |
|---|---|
|
Enabled |
Yes |
|
Visible |
Yes |
|
Locked |
No |
|
Tab stop |
Yes |
Important: If Tab Stop is set to No, the control is typically ignored by Voice Access.
Check the tab order
Voice Access depends heavily on tab navigation to recognize focusable controls.
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Open the form in Design View.
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On the Design tab, select Tab Order.
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Ensure all relevant fields are included and appear in a logical order (top to bottom).
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Save the form and reopen it in Form View.
Ensure all fields have explicit labels
Voice Access commonly ignores text boxes that do not have associated Label controls.
Best practices
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Use the Label tool (not static text).
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Place labels close to their associated fields.
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Ensure label text is descriptive and unique.
Tip: Dragging fields from the Field List automatically creates a properly associated label–text box pair.
Avoid overlapping or obscured controls
Voice Access does not number controls that are:
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Overlapping other elements.
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Covered by decorative shapes or images.
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Hidden due to Z order or layering issues.
Be sure you remove or simplify background shapes and images and use Arrange > Bring to Front for affected controls.
Be aware of subform limitations
If the fields are located inside a subform, Voice Access may assign a number to the subform container. Individual fields inside the subform may not receive access numbers
Workarounds
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Click inside the subform, then say “Show numbers”.
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Navigate using “Tab” commands.
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Use label-based voice commands (see next section).
Use label-based Voice Access commands
Even when access numbers are unavailable, Voice Access may recognize field labels.
Examples
Plain text
Click first name
Focus Last Name
Show more lines
This requires clear, visible label text and no duplicate labels on the same form.
Known limitations
If all workarounds are applied and access numbers still do not appear, the behavior is by design for the current platform.
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Legacy Access forms may not fully support modern UI Automation.
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Voice Access behavior is inconsistent across subforms with heavily customized layouts.
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Voice Access behavior is inconsistent in older databases.
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Even well-structured forms may not expose all fields reliably.
