Pull down menu in reports dialog box

Hi MissB618,

This called ComboBox,
make a normal Textbox, then right click and change it to Combobox,
use the Row Source to open SQL (query) and select the Table Field of the Anottory Names,
after doing that, do, menu bar > View Totals
Click on the x and ask it to accept your changes,
Now the names should show in th comboBox

Hope this helps

jaffer

Ok, I found a way to accomplish my task.  This is what I did in a nutshell -
1) Created an unbound form and set its property values for a dialog box.
2) Created an combo box within that form to list owners' names.
3) Created four macros - 1 to open the new unbound form, 1 to close the new form, 1 for the OK button inside the new form and 1 for the Cancel button inside the new form.
4) Added the criteria in the underlying query for the report.

This seems to have worked except for one thing.  When I click on the report I get a window with the following message:

"The expression you entered has a function name that Microsoft can't find."

When I click OK it gives me the report.

What does this message mean and how do I fix it??

MissB618

I think your prolem is in
>1) .... set its property values for a dialog box

Your present situation:
In your query you have a field called owners, in the Criteria you have, [Please enter your Name]

Should be changes to:
In your query you have a field called owners, in the Criteria you have, Forms![YourFormName]![ComboBoxName]


I assume you only did the above changes, otherwise you didn't alter the already working Query/Report.
If other changes are done, then please provide the code for that too.

jaffer

In my Query, in the owner field I have the following critieria:

[Forms]![Open Files by Current Owner - Dialog]![OwnerName]

I tend to get a little wordy in my naming of forms, queries and such.  I think I might try the process again, but shorten the form name (no spaces and no dash).  

Is the ComboBox Name in the [Open Files by Current Owner - Dialog] Form called [OwnerName]?
Please check the spelling of bothe the Form Name and the Field Name

Good news,
I hope we were of some help.

jaffer

MissB618

I have 2 things to say here:

1- Additional value,
Since the user have to specify the owner, I would assume that the the Currect user will want to print his own Report,
So instead of making the user select his name from the ComboBox list, make his name readily available:
In the properties of the ComboBox, go to Default Value and type:
=CurrectUser()

So the user Enters the Form, he will see his name automatically selected in the ComboBox, thus cutting his time even shorter.


2- Complaint,
When you posted your question, you didn't know what to do and how to solve your problem,
Its only after jadedata and especially myself, explaind to you what you should do and how to do it, in a step by step manner, then only you posted "I found a way to accomplish my task".
The idea was the same as ours which is a ComboBox, where as you didn't have a clue about this in the begining, as the question title proves it "Pull down menu in reports dialog box", You were saying Pull down menu, where we said ComboBox, and you applied the ComboBox,
AND the main steps for the selection of the owners in the ComboBox was based on mine.

So,
Even if the whole of what we said was blah blah to you, but the word ComboBox trigered and Directed you to the Right path,
I think it is only fair that you give us some credit, OR award us some points, OR even thank you will do.

With all due respect to you.

jaffer

jaffer,

I'm sorry I'm a little confused.  Where in your comments did you explain to me about how to put a combo box into the dialog window?  Yes, you vaguely instructed me on how to create a combo box (which was not my question), but not until I posted that I had found a solution did you even mention the words "dialog box".  If you re read my original question it clearly asks "Can a dialog box contain a pull down menu?".  Although I definitely appreciated your comments, they were of no help to me whatsoever.  Since I pay for the points I give out, I am not inclined to give them to those that merely offer suggestions, but to those that actually help me find an answer.  

None of what any of the "experts" on this site is ever blah blah to me.  I respect what is said on this site and have been incredibly pleased with the help I've received.  However, I did not receive help with this question by any of the comments you posted and that is why I do not feel I should give point to anyone.  

Nobody mentioned anything about "Pull down menu in reports dialog box", because it is not possible.
Thus we advised that the way to do this is through the ComboBox, and I "vaguely instructed you on how to create a combo box", and that is what you used at the end, not the "Pull down menu in reports dialog box".

and this is not about points, please read my last comment:
"I think it is only fair that you give us some credit, OR award us some points, OR even thank you will do"
where points was not the only thing mentioned.

I do respect your Opinion/Right to handle your question in the way approperiate to you.

jaffer

Actually, a pull down menu in a dialog box IS possible.  I've just completed my 16th successful one.  If anyone reading this message is interested in how, I recommend the instructions supplied in the MS Access Help Topics under "Use a form to enter report criteria".  The title is kind of deceiving because the form you create is actually a dialog box.  

Thank you to all those experts who have helped me along the way. ; )

I would certainly like to learn this method, provided I can get to it,
would you be kind enough to show me how to find this topic.

I tried "Use a form to enter report criteria", but got no where.

thank you

jaffer

At the Help Topic Index type in "dialog box", select "custom dialog boxes" and click on Display.  Select "create a pop-up form or custom dialog box" and click on Display.  Under "What do you want to do?" select "Create a custom dialog box".  Under Notes, 4th bullet point states "For information on creating a custom dialog box that prompts you to enter report criteria, click"  Click on double arrows following this statement.  Voila!  You are at "Use a form to enter report criteria".  I followed these directions and substitued a combo box for a text box and got exactly what I was asking for.

I trust this answers your question and I can consider this matter closed.

Thank you.