Properties of Database Fields

Overview of Windows Objects

Introduction

In everyday life, an object is an entity that displays or provides some characteristics that set it apart. These characteristics are used to describe the object. For example, an object called Car has such characteristics as its make, model, color, year made, price, and mileage, etc. When put together, these aspects can be used to get good knowledge of what the object looks like and perhaps how it functions. The same concept is used in computer programming, in database development, and in Microsoft Access.

Referring to Microsoft Access, an object is a database field or control that “owns” some characteristics that define or control such aspects as its appearance, its behavior and probably its relationship with other objects of either the same parent or the same database. As objects are different one from another, so are their characteristics. Still, the techniques used to access, read, or change the characteristics of a control or field are shared by all of them, as long as they are being operated upon using Microsoft Access development environment..

Access to Controls Properties

In computer programming or database development, a characteristic of an object is also referred to as its property. On this site, both words will be used interchangeably. When designing a form or report, you can display and review the characteristics of an object using its Properties window.

The properties of an object are divided in three main categories:

• Characteristics that control the object's appearance are listed in the Format property page
• Characteristics that control internal or external relationships, as far as data is concerned, are listed in the Data property page
• The Other property page lists characteristics that don't fit in one of the other groups

When dealing with a particular characteristic, you can access it from one of those property pages or you can use the whole list of properties from the All tab

Practical Learning: Creating a New Form

1. Start Microsoft Access and open the Rockville Techno database that you started
2. To create a new form, in the Database Window, click Forms and double-click Create Form In Design View.
   If you are using Microsoft Access 97, in the Forms property page, click the New button. In the New Form dialog box, click Design View, make sure nothing is selected in the combo box and click OK
3. To display the Properties window, double-click the button at the intersection of the rulers