Add Windows Common Dialogs to Your Microsoft Access Forms

There are standard Windows dialogs for opening and saving files, choosing a printer, setting font options, picking a color, and using a help file.

These dialogs are implemented by Windows and are available to developers through the Windows Application Programming Interface (API). Unfortunately, using the API can be difficult because of the complicated interface issues associated with the APIs.

The Common Dialogs control in Total Access Components eliminates much of the complexity by encapsulating the API calls into an easy to use control. This lets you give a standard Windows experience without the need to create your own forms to replicate the Windows dialogs. And because it's calling the Windows API directly, it uses the user's operating system so it's consistent with the rest of their applications.

File Open and File Save Dialogs

Prompt your user for the path and name of a file to open, or a new file name to save a file to.

Select Color Dialog

Select a color using the Windows color selector.

Printer Settings Dialog

Select a printer and adjust its settings.

Font Dialog

Select a font, style, and size.

Help Files

Open a help file in HLP or CHM format, and jump to the help ID you specify.

Using the Common Dialogs

Add the Common Dialogs control to your Microsoft Access form. Determine which of the dialogs you want to use and set its appropriate properties. Properties vary depending on which dialog you select.

When you're ready to open the dialog, call its Show method. If the user doesn't press Cancel, get the user's selection and apply it.

All the properties can be set in your VBA module code.