Reference Nested Form Fields in VBA

Reference Microsoft Access Form Controls from VB Script

Have you come across the maddening task of trying to reference a deeply nested form, form field or control?Here is a real example of a deeply nested subform control – a combo box control which we want to disable.Forms![MainMenu]![F_Project_Results].Form![F_Test_Results].
Form![F_Test_Materials].Form![F_Test_Results_Dates].Form![F_Test_Result_Parameters]
.Form![Parameter_Combo].Enabled = False

Isn’t there an easier way to reference these fields directly?  The answer is YES!

You can reference any form directly using its reference in visual basic:

Form_F_Test_Result_Parameters.Parameter_Combo.Enabled = False

Notice that we prefix the form name with Form_ use the dot ‘.’ operator to reference the form control.

There is one trick to this referencing method – the form which you are referencing must have its Has Module property set to Yes.

This method only seems to work in VBA code.  Doesn’t work when referencing a form field as a query parameter nor in any of the property settings.

Note that you can also reference a form’s functions and subroutines using the same method.  For example:

Form_F_Test_Result_Parameters.Requery
(requeries the form)

Call Form_F_Test_Result_Parameters.Find_Test_Combo_AfterUpdate
(Note that the function or subroutine must be Public and not Private to reference it from another form or VBA module.)

And requery a combo box after its row source updates:

Form_F_Test_Materials.Find_Material_Combo.Requery

 

Microsoft Office:
MS Access 2000 Through 2016 and Office 365 & Sharepoint

Microsoft Access 2007, 2010, 2013 & 2016

 

Microsoft Office VBA, MS Access 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016