Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I: Introducing VBA Programming 7

Chapter 1: Where VBA Fits In 9

Chapter 2: Your VBA Toolkit 21

Chapter 3: Jumpstart: Creating a Simple VBA Program 35

Part II: VBA Tools and Techniques 49

Chapter 4: Understanding Your VBA Building Blocks 51

Chapter 5: Controlling Access through VBA 71

Chapter 6: Programming Access Forms 87

Part III: VBA, Recordsets, and SQL 115

Chapter 7: The Scoop on SQL and Recordsets 117

Chapter 8: Putting Recordsets to Work 147

Part IV: Applying VBA in the Real World 173

Chapter 9: Creating Your Own Dialog Boxes 175

Chapter 10: Customizing Combo Boxes and List Boxes 201

Chapter 11: Creating Your Own Functions 239

Chapter 12: Testing and Debugging Your Code 265

Part V: Reaching Out with VBA 293

Chapter 13: Using VBA with Multiple Databases 295

Chapter 14: Integrating with Other Office Applications 315

Part VI: The Part of Tens 349

Chapter 15: Ten Commandments of Writing VBA 351

Chapter 16: Top Ten Nerdy VBA Tricks 357

Index 367

About the Author

Joe Stockman is an independent consultant, software designer, and author who has been using Microsoft Access since its initial release. He’s also developed courseware and taught classes in Access and VBA. Joe developed his first application in Access, and then migrated into Visual Basic and VB.NET, where he specializes in creating applications for the Windows Mobile platform. He worked for several software companies before forming his consulting business in 2002, where he deals with all types of clients including healthcare, financial, government, manufacturing, and small business. His ability to turn his customers’ wishes into working applications keeps them satisfied. Joe’s also writing the fundamentals column for the Advisor Guide to Microsoft Access magazine.

Alan Simpson is the author of over 100 computer books on databases, Windows, Web site design and development, programming, and networking. His books are published throughout the world in over a dozen languages and have millions of copies. Alan has also taught introductory and advanced computer programming courses at San Diego State University and the UCSD Extension. He has served as a consultant on high-technology, educationoriented projects for the United States Navy and Air Force. Despite that, Alan has no fancy job title because he has never had a real job.