Build an Advanced Search Form

Why Build a Search Form?

I answered This question:- Multi field search-box  on Access World Forums (AWF) where the OP asked about using a list box to search a table.

I didn’t think a LISTBOX was the right solution, so I demonstrated this “Nifty Search Form” by adapting it to the OP’s Database. All done in a Few minutes! You can download your own copy of the search form here:- https://gum.co/NiftySearchForm — alternatively, follow the video instructions and you can build your own!

My Reply:- (The Key take away from my Reply — I found it an exceptionally rewarding way of learning Microsoft Access VBA)

I did it as a project to help me learn how to program Microsoft Access VBA… My first attempts at a Search Form were very basic, but they pointed the way to making improvements. As I made each improvement, there were 3 levels in all, my skill and understanding of programming in Microsoft Access VBA improved immensely. The result was this Search Form, which I am very proud of!

If you’re interested in learning Microsoft Access VBA then I can think of no better way than to adopt a project. Indeed, I realised the value of what I had learnt and I have tried to to explain it and to convey what I learnt in three collections of YouTube videos demonstrating how to build your own Search Form.

There are three sets of YouTube videos because they cater for people with different levels of expertise in MS Access VBA. Some might start at the first set of videos and some may start at the last set of videos.

The “Nifty Search Form” evolved out of many months of experimentation and learning.

I’ve condensed my experience down into these 3 sets of YouTube videos:-

VBA Beginner

Want to build yourself a Search Form?

Building Advanced Search Criteria

If you are interested in learning VBA then I can’t think of a better way than following the sets of YouTube videos.

Following them will give you a good “leg up” in this learning process. You’ve also got the back up that you can contact me if there’s anything you need help with.

Build an Advanced Search Form

Advanced Search Form - Full instructions on how to Build it Yourself!

If you are interested in building a “Nifty Search Form” for your database, then you should find the following YouTube Playlists helpful.
 
I have composed 3 YouTube playlists which go through a process of building the Search Form — Building Search Criteria – Nifty Access, Advanced Search Criteria – Nifty Access and Easy Search Criteria – Nifty Access
 
You will need some experience in using the query builder grid and VBA. If you need help with the VBA I also did another set the videos showing you how to start out with VBA…
 
VBA Beginner – Nifty Access
 
Building Search Criteria
 
Building Advanced Search Criteria
 
Easy Search Criteria – Nifty Access
 
If you have any problems, email me a time indexed link, to the place in the video that you need help with. Also provide an Explanation of the problem you are having, and/or what you don’t understand.

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More Useful Stuff HERE:-

Acronyms – MS Access

ActiveX Data Objects

ADO

Data Access Objects

DAO

MD-Executable

MDE Microsoft Database Executable

User Level Security

ULS

Recordset

RST - rst

Structured Query Language

SQL

Visual Basic for Applications

VBA

Zero Length String

ZLS

Garbage In Garbage Out

GIGO
Garbage In Garbage Out

GIGO

Place Holder

ZLS

Easy MS Access Checklist

You need an Auto Fill Checklist

I added loads of Checklists to a Project. I noticed that it was painful for the user’s because they had to select each combo-box, choose the question, then choose the answer. This was a painfully slow process, and worse, it resulted in errors and missing information! These are the biggest NO NO’S for any database developer! The Video below demonstrates the problem, and below that, there are links to to my solution which is a set of Videos. The purpose of the videos is not to supply you with an easy drop in answer, it’s to get you to learn VBA! However if you want a drop-in answer, with no work, contact me. I have some samples that I can share.

Checklist Required!

Checklist Required!

Video 1 (1:27)

I offer a solution to a problem which might, sort of, sneak up on you when you’re developing your database. Imagine this scenario. Your organisation helps disadvantaged families and received support from government and other organisations. One of the requirements of this support is an annual report on how many people have been helped by your organisation. You’ve been using Excel for this however it’s becoming apparent that Excel doesn’t have all the features you require. You turn to MS Access to emulate a form provided by the government, and it has lots of checklists on it. The main form has a section for collects information on the families, family name, address, etc… under this section you have set up a subform which offers the user a set of combo boxes where they can choose a question and provide an answer. In other words the user interface is awful! A user interface requiring the operator to take several steps on each and every entry, unnecessary steps, something crying out for automation! Instead of the operator manually choosing the question and providing the answer, you would like all the combo boxes to be filled automatically! Hence my Checklist solution… See how to automatically create a Checklist on my website HERE:-

How to add a Checklist to MS Access

This Advanced but simple to use Checklist is easy to set-up. You Just need 3 Tables, a main form and a Subform. Follow the comprehensive Video Instructions, which demonstrate how to add this incredible utility to your database. Establish yourself as the “Go To” person in your organisation for database improvements! “Nifty Access” will quickly elevate you to “Power User Level!” 

Video 1 (1:27)

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More Useful Stuff HERE:-

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