To define how the information within a form will appear, and in what format it will be, we use controls. A control is nothing more than an object that shows data, performs actions, and/or is used as decoration. E.g, we can use a text box to show data, a command button to open a form or report, or a line or a rectangle to separate or group controls in order to make them more legible.
In the Toolbox we have a button for each type of control that can be added to a form.
If the Toolbox
does not appear, click on the 
button on the toolbar.
If we want to create various controls of
the same type we can block the control by double
clicking on it (it will appear enclosed in a darker line), as from this
moment we can create all the controls we want of this type without having
to double clic every time. To unblock, all we
need to do is click on the 
button.
There is a wizard that will help us to define
the control, to activate it wizard click on 
button.
The Toolbox includes the following types of controls:
A Label 
serves to visualize a fixed text, text that we write directly into its
control or Caption property.
A Text
box 
is usually used to present data stored in a source field of the form.
This type of text box is called an dependant text box
because it is dependant of the data in one specific field, and
if we edit data in the Form view we will be changing the data at the source.
Text boxes can also be independant,
e.g to represent the results of a calculation, or to accept the entry
of a users data. The data in an independant text box is not stored anywhere.
In the Control source property we have the
name of the associated table's field (when it is dependant) or a calculation
formula if we want it to present the result to us in this case the formula
needs to be preceeded by a = sign.
An Option Group 
is used to present a limited group of alternatives. A group of options
makes it easier to select a value as the user only needs then to click
on the value he requires. There should only be a few options, otherwise
it would be better to use a list box or a combo box instead of an option
group.
When we insert a group of options the wizard will appear to help us to define the group.
The Toggle button
is usually used to add a new option to an existing Option Group, it can
be used to present a Yes/No field; if the field
contains a Yes value the button will appear
depressed.
The Option button
is usually used to add a new option to an existing Option Group, it can
be used to present a Yes/No field; if the field
contains a Yes value the button will appear
like this 
, if not , like this
.
The Check box
is usually used to add a new option to an existing Option Group, it can
be used to present a Yes/No field; if the field
contains a Yes value the button will appear
like this 
,
if not , like this 
.
The Combo box 
.
In many cases it will be easier to select a value from a list than to
remember it in order to type it. A list of possibilities also helps to
assure that the value introduced is correct. If we do not have sufficient
space to show the list at all times the combo box is used as it shows
only one value (that which is associated with the control), and if we
want to see the list we can drop it down with the arrow to the right.
When we add a combo box to the design area the wizard will open to help
us to define the control.
The List box 
.
The difference between the combo box and the list box is the list appears
visible at all times in a list box. Like a combo box, a list box can also
contain one or more columns, that can appear with or without headers.
When we add a list box to the design area the wizard will open to help
us to define the control.
The Command 
permits the execution of an action with simply a click, e.g to open another
form, to delete a record, to run a macro, etc... On clicking the button
it does not only execute the corresponding action, but the button also
appears depressed and then released. It also has an associated wizard
that permits us to create buttons to perform more than 30 different predefined
actions.
The Image 
is used to insert images into the form, this image does not vary on changing
the record.
An Unbound object frame
is used to insert controls, e.g a sound, a Word document, a graphic, etc...
These controls will not vary when we change the record.
A Bound object frame
is used to insert an image or other object that will change from one record
to another.
A Page break 
does not have any effect on the Form view,
but rather on the preview and at the moment
of printing.
The Control tab
is used when we want to present many fields for each source record but
they do not fit on one screen and we want to organize them in various
tabs.
We can also add a Subform
.
A subform is a form that is inserted into another. The primary form is
called the principal form, and the form within this is called the subform.
A form/subform combination is often referred to as a hierarchial form,
a principal/detail form, or a principal/secondary form. Subforms are very
effective when we want to show the data of a table or query in relation
to another. E.g, we can create a form to show the data in the Courses
table with a subform to show the students recorded in this course.
The principal form and the subform of this type are linked, so that the subform will only present those records that are related with the actual record of the principal form (that the subform will only show those students that are recordred in the active course).
A Line 
is used to add a line to the form.
A Rectangle 
is used to add a rectangle to the form.
Finally, we can add more
complex controls with the 
button.
