Macros allow automating common tasks in Microsoft Access. A macro is a set of actions that perform operations like opening forms or printing reports. For example, a macro can print a report when a user clicks a command button. Macros contain actions like applying filters, finding records, opening/closing objects, and displaying updated data. Command buttons can be created manually or using a wizard to perform tasks like finding, printing, or saving records with a single click.

1. A2 MODULE 6
MACROS & COMMAND BUTTONS
A macro is a set of one or more actions that each performs a particular operation, such as opening a form
or printing a report. Macros can help you to automate common tasks. For example, you can run a macro
that prints a report when a user clicks a command button.
1. In the Database Window, click Macros under Objects.
2. Click the New button on the Database window toolbar.
3. In the Action column, click in the first cell and then click the arrow to display the action list.
4. Browse through the actions you can apply. Below is a list explaining the actions in more detail:
Action Details
ApplyFlter Restricting data
FindNext, FindRecord Move through data
GoToControl, GoToPage, GoToRecord Move through data
RunCommand Execute a form or report
Quit Exit MS Access
OpenQuery, RunCode, RunMacro, Run a macro, procedure or query
RunSQL
RunApp Run another application
CanelEvent, Quite, StopAllMacros, Stop execution
StopMacro
OutputTo, SendObject Export MS Access objects to other
applications
TransferDatabase, TransferSpreadsheet, Transfer data between MS Access
TransferText and other formats.
CopyObject Copy
Rename Rename
Mrs Neal
04/07/2012

2. Action Details
Save Save
DeleteObject Delete
Maximize Maximize window when opened
Minimize Minimize window when opened
MoveSize Resize a window
Restore Restore
Close Close an object
OpenForm, OpenModule, OpenQuery, Open or an object
OpenReport, OpenTable
OpenForm, OpenQuery, OpenReport, Print an object
Printout
SelectObject Select an object
SetValue Set a value of a field, control or
property
RepaintObject, Requery, ShowAllRecords Display updated data or screen
AddMenu To create a custom menu bar,
shortcut menu
SetMenuItem Set menu items on the custom menu
bar or shortcut menu.
Echo, Hourglass, MsgBox, SetWarnings Display information on screen
SendKeys Generate keystrokes
ShowToolbar Display or hide command bar
Beep Sound of a beep
Put it into Practice:
1. Open a database you have previously created (ensure it includes a form)
Mrs Neal
04/07/2012

3. 2. In the Database Window select Macros and click New.
3. Click the drop down box within the Action column, and select Maximize.
4. Save the macro as mrcMax, and close the macro window.
5. Now open a form you have crated in Design View.
6. In the top left hand corner (at the insertion point of the rulers) right-
click the black square and select Properties.
7. The Form Properties box is displayed.
8. Click the Event tab.
9. Click On Open.
10. Click the down arrow; a list of macros you have set will be displayed. Choose mcrMax.
11. Close the form.
12. Open the form, you will see the macro runs as soon as the form opens, and the form window is
maximised.
Grouping Relating Macros
The following example shows how you can group two macros under one name.
1. You will need to have already created a database, which contains a form.
2. In the database window select Macros and click New.
3. Click the Macros Names icon.
4. A Marco name column will be displayed. Enter the name mcrAddClient.
5. In the Action column select the OpenForm.
6. In the bottom half of the window select the relevant form (Form Name) this specifies which form
is to be opened.
Mrs Neal
04/07/2012

4. 7. When the form is opened we want to be able to add a new record, therefore we need another
action. In the second line of the Action column select GoToRecord, within the Record Action
argument select New:
8. Save the macro as mmnuClient.
9. Run the macro by clicking the Run icon on the toolbar.
10. The form should open ready for you to enter a new record.
Command Buttons
You can create a command button on your own, or you can have Microsoft Access create your command
button for you using a wizard. A wizard speeds up the process of creating a command button because it
does all the basic work for you. When you use a wizard, Access prompts you for information, and then
creates the command button based on your answers.
You can create over 30 different types of command buttons by using the Command Button Wizard. For
example, you can create a command button that finds a record, prints a record, or save.
1. Open a form in Design View.
2. In the toolbox, click the Command Button tool.
3. On the form, click where you want to place the command button.
4. Follow the directions in the wizard dialog boxes. In the last dialog box, click Finish to display the
command button in Design View.
Mrs Neal
04/07/2012