Jon Watson - Articles

Ms Access Tip – you Have Heard ofs, Now Learn to Use Them

This example demonstrates using an array and SQL statements to create the similar records. It also has a function to replace records if you want to change the amount value and update the data table. The replace function assumes that the description and date are the same and replaces every occurrence of the existing record with the latest amount value. For safekeeping the replace function makes a copy of the data table before executing. Read

By: Jon Watson | 11/01/2008 | Management

Ms Access Tip – How to Use Variables in the Access Query Design Form

In this example you are going to learn how to enter or select data in one form and open another form with more data related to the field you just selected by taking advantage of global variables in the query design form Read

By: Jon Watson | 26/12/2007 | Management

Ms Access Tutorial - How to Use Color Coding to Enhance your Applications

Color coding adds value to a form as it easily directs the user's eye to critical data. This is a powerful technique that allows a user to quickly evaluate a pages of data for errors or warning information. Read

By: Jon Watson | 18/12/2007 | Management

How to Get the Most From your Training Dollar

There are so many people telling you that you can make such a huge return on your investment these days that you just can't believe any of them any longer. I know, I have received so many get rich emails that I should be earning about a billion a day now! How about investing in something that you really believe in. Yourself. Read

By: Jon Watson | 12/12/2007 | Management

Ms Access Tip: Self Learning Combo Box

Database data entry can be tedious at times. You can make your databases more user friendly if they have a way to select data to enter rather than typing in the same data over and over. Access provides a form control called a combo box to help with this task but it can lead to trouble. Read

By: Jon Watson | 12/11/2007 | Technology

Access Databasetip: Create a User Defined Search Field for a List Box

Many times it is necessary to provide your users with an easy way to filter or search for data in large table of information. This tip will show you one quick and easy way to solve the problem by giving the user a field to enter a search string and updating the form with those fields that fit the search pattern. It's quick and easy, so give it a try. Read about how Access was a big success solving a license tracking issue in this article. Read

By: Jon Watson | 02/11/2007 | Technology

Access Database Tip: How to Multiselect in a Listbox

When you have a list box it is handy to be able to multiselect to perform some action on multiple items in the listbox. Here is a simple set of instructions to get you started. These instructions will create a quick way to multiselect and delete rows from a table. Read

By: Jon Watson | 26/10/2007 | Technology

Ms Access Tip: Keeping Up With User Activity

At times you will find it very handy to know what a user was doing in your application at a specific time. This is especially useful with multi-user database applications for debugging or security reasons. With this tool implemented in your applications you will be able to see what event happened and at what time. Read

By: Jon Watson | 25/10/2007 | Technology

Improve your Access Applications in Minutes

This article details how to create a very powerful tool that can be used in any Access database that gives your users the abililty to drill down through complex data reationships and find exactly what they are looking for in just a few mouse clicks.. Read

By: Jon Watson | 23/10/2007 | Databases