Applies ToAccess for Microsoft 365 Access 2024 Access 2021 Access 2019 Access 2016

You can use the DisplayHourglassPointer macro action in Access desktop databases to change the mouse pointer to an image of an hourglass (or another icon you've chosen) while a macro is running. This macro action can provide a visual indication that the macro is running. This is especially useful when a macro action or the macro itself takes a long time to run.

Note: The DisplayHourglassPointer macro action isn't available in Access web apps.

Setting

The DisplayHourglassPointer macro action has the following argument.

Action argument

Description

Hourglass On

Select Yes (display the icon) or No (display the normal mouse pointer) in the Hourglass On box. The default is Yes.

Remarks

You often use this action if you have turned echo off by using the Echo action. When echo is off, Access suspends screen updates until the macro is finished.

Access automatically resets the Hourglass On argument to No when the macro finishes running.

Notes: 

  • In Microsoft Windows, this is the icon you set for Busy in the Mouse Properties dialog box of Windows Control Panel.

  • You can choose another icon if you want.

To run the DisplayHourglassPointer macro action in a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) module, use the Hourglass method of the DoCmd object.

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