Forum Discussion
Subforms in Tabs: Can They Be Dragged-and-Dropped In, or Cut-and-Pasted?
Hello, I have a question or two about using tab controls and subforms. I am using Access 2021, and am a novice at database design.
I am designing a movie collection database, and I currently have three subforms. I'd like to have them in tabs, rather than all on one form.
My question: Is it possible to drag and drop the subforms into the tabs, or cut-and-paste them? Or do I have to build the subforms over again, from scratch?
Which method of placing subforms in the tabs do you prefer? Thank you!
4 Replies
JackD2275 This should be a one-time process, when you first create the interface. As such, it seems to me that this is not really a problem. Whether you drag and drop the subform from the navigation pane or insert it via the ribbon, it's once and done. I can't quite picture a situation where there would be a cut and paste operation, or any need to re-create subforms.
What do you mean, though, by "... do I have to build the subforms over again, from scratch?" Perhaps we're not understanding the actual problem.
- Thank you for replying. I successfully cut-and-pasted subforms into tabs. I haven't tried dragging and dropping yet.
When I said "from scratch," I meant this: If it were not possible to copy-and-paste or drag and drop, then would I have to create the subform all over again, as if it never existed?
But I have since discovered it's actually easy to move a subform into a tab, so the "from scratch" issue is no longer relevant. Just ignore that.- I think I just realized that what you meant was not "cut" and paste, but "copy" and paste. I'm glad you found a solution.
- While you can’t directly cut and paste subforms into tabs (as you would with regular controls), you can follow these steps:
- Open your main form in Design View.
- Create a new tab page within your tab control (if needed).
- In the Navigation Pane, right-click the subform you want to use and select “Copy.”
- Go back to your main form and navigate to the desired tab page.
- Right-click and choose “Paste.”
- Access will create a subform control on that tab page, bound to the copied subform.
- This method requires a few extra steps but achieves the same result.
Personally, I recommend the drag-and-drop method as ensures that the subform control is correctly anchored within the tab control.
for Drag-and-Drop Method:
- Yes, you can drag and drop subforms into tabs on your main form. Here’s how:
- Open your main form in Design View.
- Ensure you have a tab control on your form (if not, add one from the toolbox).
- In the Navigation Pane, locate the subform you want to use.
- Drag the subform onto the desired tab page within the tab control.
- Access will create a subform control on that tab page, and it will be bound to the subform you dragged in.
- While you can’t directly cut and paste subforms into tabs (as you would with regular controls), you can follow these steps:
