Making Forms as user friendly as possible. 1

[helmi]

How do i make my forms as user friendly as possible.I dunno hw to use VBA. One way is to use control tip test.Any other ways that most people dont know?

 

[Trendsetter]

Another that I find i annoying as a user is the sequence of movement from using Tab or Enter is different from that shown on the form.
This is easily overcome by using View>Tab Order and setting the progression sequence the same as the form layout.

Make sure the labels mean something to a casual user.

 

[Hap007]

helmi

Several tips for you.

1) When you design your forms, try to make each form look and feel the same.
ie If you use the word 'Cancel' on a button to close a form, then use the same wording and button on all your forms.
2) When designing forms, try to make all your forms look and feel the same.
ie Place navigation buttons and close buttons on the same area of each form.
3) Model your form designs like other popular programs. Use MS word or Excel or Quick books as a model. Try to produce the same look and and feel of some popular application that has been widely accepted.

Hope this Helps,
Hap
Access Add-on developer

http://www.fcs-software.com

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[janetlyn]

Hap007, I am now trying to do just as you suggest and conform all my forms to the same look and feel. I do know what I don't want. The IRS has a website and on some screens the "next" button is pretty and in others it is plain gray and the "cancel" button is pretty and they are in the same area. It took me several months of using their website before I quit hitting the "pretty" button. Why couldn't they keep it the same. Anyhow, off my soapbox. I would like to know if you could give me some suggestions on where to view your item #3. I would love to know where some models are that I could look at. I would like to end up with an executable program where the user click on the program and never knows they are using Access. This may take awhile but any help you could give would be much appreciated. Thanks, JL

 

[Tiggertoo]

Everyone I've designed forms for really appreciate the drop down boxes. Simple to use - are you including them?

 

[Hap007]

Dear Janet,

Yes, it is very frustrating when you learn to use an application, and then when you run another (different) application you must re-learn a new look and feel.

Now, If every screen the the same application is different, well I consider that down right user Unfriendly. The web site you describe sounds 'unfriendly' indeed.

Here is a pointer to some screen examples on my website.

http://www.fcs-software.com/fcsstory/fcsaccessdevtour1.html

Give these samples a look see and then we can discuss in greater detail. If you send me an email,with your email address, I could also email back to you some samples access screens for you to view.

FYI:
Another tip for screens:
When you are 99.9 percent done with your form, make sure that the 'Tab' sequence is correct for all the fields on the form. Us developers use the mouse, but many users will tab thru all the fields on the form when doing data entry. Nothing is more frustating then going all over the place with a poorly organized tab sequence.

Hope This Helps,
Hap


Access Developer

http://www.fcs-software.com/fcsaccessdev.html

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Specializing in Access based Add-on Solutions for the Developer

 

[fneily]

"Buttons, buttons, who has the buttons"(play on a child song). Everywhere I've helped out, they like to see a beginning "switchboard" with commands buttons that branch out to different functions. You can "hide" Access by clicking on Tools, Startup and making your switchboard the opening form. Also change the application title, etc. On the forms they go to from the switchboard, have buttons that return to the main menu (switchboard). Any basic Access book can give you other ideas. But somewhere down the road, you're going to have to code to make it "user friendly".

Neil

 

[janetlyn]

Tiggertoo, for all my forms, if possible, I used combo boxes for data entry. Like city/state. They can start typing Peoria, IL and once they hit the "Pe" it should be where they want without having to type the whole word. Is that what you are asking about?

Hap007, I would love anything you can send me. engineers@mwengprof.com and thanks.

Fneily, I completely abandoned the switchboard and just made my "switchboard" using forms. Now that I have done that I can see where my user-friendly forms are easier on the user than the switchboards. I was able to compact alot of information and usage so instead of having to click through 4 switchboards to get to the form they needed, now they should only have to click on one or two. But thanks for your comments.

Hope all of you have a wonderful day. Janet Lyn

 

[fneily]

I think you're misunderstanding me. First, I'm not talking about the "Switchboard Manager". I meant making my own entry point. Like for one company, they had 12 departments. So they picked their path. They don't always return to the switchboard, it's not necessary. The idea I was trying to convey was using buttons. Most people, not all, but most know how to click buttons.

Neil