Bizarre changes to tab order on form

  • Thread starter Thread starter M Skabialka
  • Start date Start date
M

M Skabialka

I have a main form for my Access 97 database where there are three tabs,
each with buttons to open forms or reports, and fields to fill to run
reports.

When I try to change the tab order of the fields and buttons on these pages
the order does not get saved, in fact I sometimes see it change before my
eyes. In properties, under Other, the Tab Stop is set to Yes, and I am
changing the Tab Index. I can change it to 6, click on another property and
it will randomly change to another number, like 21, I change it back, it
goes to 3, I change it again it goes to 13. I tried to auto order but I
want the order to be mainly from top to bottom, not left to right.

I want the users to fill three fields in a row then run the report, using
the enter or tab key to get to the next approriate field but it is jumping
them all over the place.

What could be causing this bizarre behavior?

Mich
 
Having tab pages messes it up, though it works fine without tab pages. I
don't know exactly how to resolve the issue.
 
I have a main form for my Access 97 database where there are three tabs,
each with buttons to open forms or reports, and fields to fill to run
reports.
Click to expand...

The problem is that a Control on a Form has a tab index for the form -
and a control on a Tab Page has a completely INDEPENDENT tab index for
that tab page only.

That is, on each tab page, the Tab Order values on the controls on
that page run from 0 to the number of controls on that page; on the
next page, its controls run from 0 to whatever.

The Tab Page itself has a tab order; when you tab from the previous
control onto the tab page, the first control in the open page's tab
order will get the focus.
 
I am unable to even set the order on the first tab page, let alone the
others.

I can sit there and click each control on tab 1 and start to change the tab
index manually and about the time I get to the 3rd or 4th one, and go and
look back at the ones I numbered 0, 1, 2, and 3, they have already changed
to 17, 4, 8 and 11 (or any other random numbers). Even if I change the
index number on one control, then save the form, then the next, and save
again, within a couple of iterations they are all scrambled again.

I haven't even considered doing tab 2 until I figure out tab 1! I have used
tabs before and never had this problem before.

Mich
 
M said:
I am unable to even set the order on the first tab page, let alone the
others.
Click to expand...

Try right-clicking the tab and choosing Tab Order and rearrange there.
 
I must have gone brain dead - that's how I used to always do it but now I do
it by changing the number.

Of course your suggestion worked like a charm and now I fell like a real
heel!

Thanks so much
Mich
 
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