Validation Text Invisible

[topher]

I am new to Access. I recently designed a DB for a cancer survey. In it
were questions about demographics and so on that included validation rules
such as “0 or 1†for Gender in which 0=male and 1=female. Other questions
used Likert items with more complex rules. The trouble I am having is
getting the validation text to show up automatically somewhere in the
datasheet view so that coders can see it as they enter data. I don’t want
coders to either have to violate the validation rule or toggle back and forth
between the datasheet and design view in order to know what the rule is for
each column. So, I thought this might be done in one of 3 ways:
1. Set the DB so that each time the coder hits tab the validation text shows
up.
2. Add an item to the menu bar that displays the validation text for each
cell as the coder hits tab.
3. Allow the simultaneous display of the datasheet and design views.
Does anyone have any ideas how one of these might be done? Other ideas,
perhaps? Thanks.

 

[Geof Wyght]

I would recommend against showing the design view. Have
you tried the Status Bar Text property of each control?
Geof.

 

[Tim Ferguson]

The trouble I am having is
getting the validation text to show up automatically somewhere in the
datasheet view so that coders can see it as they enter data.

Datasheet view is pretty primitive: it's okay for debugging and
designing but it's not kind to impose it on your users.

This is not a normal use for ValidationText either...

I don't want coders to either have to violate the validation rule or

You can't violate a ValidationRule; the database won't let you. That's
why it's a rule.

toggle back and forth between the datasheet and design view in order
to know what the rule is for each column. So, I thought this might be
done in one of 3 ways:

1. Use a combo box -- set up the 0 and 1 in a hidden column and the
English word visible. That way the users don't have to know the coding
mechanism. Set Autocomplete On, and they'll only have to press the "m"
and Access will fill in the "ale" for them.

2. Use the OnEnter event to flash up a helpful MsgBox - you could
intercept the OnKey event and pick up the <F1> key for example.

3. Just put a label on the form next to the control with the
instructions. This obviously does not work in Forms-Datasheet mode, which
the other two would.


Hope that helps


Tim F