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Access 2007 VBA Programming For Dummies
Using VBA (Visual Basic for Application) to program Microsoft Access 2007 is simplified if you use shortcuts for debugging code in VBA and perform common tasks in VBA editor and the VBA immediate and code windows. Also, consider learning the codes used for completing common VBA jobs.
Common Shortcuts in VBA-Access 2007
Knowing the most popular keyboard shortcuts in VBA-Access 2007 will help you work more efficiently. Use this shortcut chart until you learn the keyboard combinations and their functions:
| To Do This | Press This |
|---|---|
| Switch between Access and the VBA editor | Alt+F11 |
| Get help | F1 |
| View Object Browser (VBA Editor) | F2 |
| View properties and events | F4 |
| Close VBA Editor and return to Access | Alt+Q |
Shortcut Keys to Debug Code in VBA 2007
Avoiding bugs or errors means you have to be precise when writing code in a programming language. Luckily, using these shortcuts will debug code quickly in VBA:
| Action | Shortcut Key |
|---|---|
| Toggle breakpoint | F9 |
| Step into | F8 |
| Step over | Shift+F8 |
| Step out | Ctrl+Shift+F8 |
| Run to cursor | Ctrl+F8 |
| Clear all breakpoints | Ctrl+F9 |
Common Shortcut Keys in VBA 2007 Editor
Writing, editing, and testing your VBA code in Visual Basic editor will run more smoothly if you learn these helpful shortcut keys and their functions:
| Action | Shortcut Key |
|---|---|
| Get help | F1 |
| View Object Browser | F2 |
| View properties | F4 |
| View Code window | F7 |
| Open Project Explorer | Ctrl+R |
| Close and return to Access | Alt+Q |
| Switch to Access | Alt+F11 |
| View Immediate window | Ctrl+G |
| View shortcut menu | Shift+F10 (or right-click) |
| View definition | Shift+F2 |
| Go to last position | Ctrl+Shift+F2 |
| Run a Sub/UserForm | F5 |
| Stop code execution | Ctrl+Break |
VBA 2007 Shortcuts for Immediate and Code Windows
To get your tasks done quickly in the Immediate window (which lets you run code anytime, right on the spot) and Code window (used for writing, editing, and viewing VBA) use these VBA shortcuts:
| Action | Shortcut Key |
|---|---|
| Move cursor right one character | -→ |
| Select character to right | Shift+-→ |
| Move cursor right one word | Ctrl+-→ |
| Select to end of word | Ctrl+Shift+-→ |
| Move cursor left one character | <--- |
| Select character to left of cursor | Shift+<--- |
| Move cursor left one word | Ctrl+<--- |
| Move cursor to start of line | Home |
| Select text to start of line | Shift+Home |
| Move cursor to end of line | End |
| Select text to end of line | Shift+End |
| Move cursor up a line | ↑ |
| Move cursor down a line | ↓ |
| Move cursor to next procedure | Ctrl+↓ |
| Move cursor to previous procedure | Ctrl+↑ |
| Scroll up one screen | PgUp |
| Scroll down one screen | PgDn |
| Go to top of module | Ctrl+Home |
| Select all text to top of module | Ctrl+Shift+Home |
| Go to bottom of module | Ctrl+End |
| Select all text to bottom of module | Ctrl+Shift+End |
| Cut selection | Ctrl+X |
| Copy selection | Ctrl+C |
| Paste selection | Ctrl+V |
| Cut current line to Clipboard | Ctrl+Y |
| Delete to end of word | Ctrl+Delete |
| Delete character or selected text | Delete (Del) |
| Delete character to left of cursor | Backspace |
| Delete to beginning of word | Ctrl+Backspace |
| Undo | Ctrl+Z |
| Indent line | Tab |
| Outdent line | Shift+Tab |
| Find | Ctrl+F |
| Replace | Ctrl+H |
| Find Next | F3 |
| Find Previous | Shift+F3 |
| Get help with selected word | F1 |
| Get Quick Info | Ctrl+I |
Codes for Common VBA 2007 Tasks
This list shows you the most common jobs carried out in VBA 2007 and the code statements you need to type to complete the VBA task, so keep this list handy:
Open a form in Form view:
DoCmd.OpenForm "formname", acNormal
Change a form property on an open form:
Forms![formName].propertyName = newValue
Get value from a control on an open form:
Forms![formName]![controlName].Value
Change value of a control on an open form:
Forms![formName]![controlName].Value = newValue
Change a control property on an open form:
Forms![formName]![controlName].propertyName = newValue
Close a form, saving design changes:
DoCmd.Close acForm, "formName", acSaveYes
Print a report:
DoCmd.OpenReport "reportName", acViewNormal
Run an action query:
DoCmd.RunSQL "SQLstatement"
Show a simple message:
MsgBox "yourMessage"
Ask a question on-screen:
variable = MsgBox("yourMessage", vbQuestion + vbYesNo)
