[mso] Re: Access 2003 Switchboard Form

The built-in switchboard functionality is Access's way of allowing 
database developers to create simple, fast user navigation menus.  If your 
database needs navigation and you can easily group things under one sub 
menu, such as Reports or Data Entry, it helps give you a low maintenance 
navigation system to help the user get to where you need for them to be. 
There are really so many variables, it is hard to give a set answer, but 
maybe someone will have a good way to word it.
The variables . . . . 

Does the database need navigation, is the database developer familiar 
enough with form design, writing code and other aspects that might go into 
creating your own custom navigation menus or is it easier for the 
developer to simply create some macros, reports or forms and link to them 
in a logical grouping/order using the built-in switchboard functionality.

A switchboard is really no more than simply a menu or set of menu's that 
assist in navigating the user to the data entry forms, reports or other 
things the developer/creator of the database wants the user to have access 
to.   The built-in switchboard functionality in Access is a fairly easy 
way to group these things together.  If you have several reports you want 
the user to be able to choose from you would create a Report switchboard 
and set the reports you would like to show on that menu.  You could create 
another menu for the various data entry forms, or any type of grouping 
that makes sense for your database.  It gives you a consistent look and 
easily maintained navigational menu structure.

I have not used a switchboard in many years, as my preference is to create 
my own menu's/sub menu's as I often have action that needs to go on behind 
the scenes.  For example, one menu might show reports, but in order for 
the reports to contain current data, I might need a make-table query to 
run when the Report menu opens.  So I would add the make table query to 
the open or load event of the form.  You can get very fancy and 
complicated in creating macros and using them in the built-in switchboard, 
but for me, I've found it's easier to write the code and set the form 
events up in the design mode of the form vs using the switchboard.  Plus, 
I have alot more control over the graphic design of the form.  I may want 
one 'look' or 'theme' to a certain set of menu's, then another 'look' or 
'theme' for another set in the same database to help visually identify 
which 'module' the user is in. 

This is one reason it makes it difficult to answer your question, as the 
preference and experience of the database developer also are factors. 
There is no right or wrong way when it comes to creating your navigation 
menus - switchboard vs your own designs.  It is just what you are more 
comfortable with and does the switchboard give you the versatility and 
freedom you need to create complex events where needed.

Hope this helps . . . 





Carr <carr_kids@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent by:  mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
12/28/2008 10:47 AM
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[mso] Re: Access 2003 Switchboard Form






Hello David,
 
Yes, I did a google and as you said the links provided answered the 
question. I am still getting hung up on why use switchboard, purpose and 
functionality. The better question I should have asked if someone on the 
list could explain in "plain english" what is the purpose, what it 
actually does and the benefit of a switchboard.
 
Thanks,
P.


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