Different ways to Access Form's Property Sheet

In Microsoft Access, when working in Design View, there are several ways to access a form's properties. Here's a breakdown of the different methods:

1. Using the Property Sheet Panel

   The Property Sheet panel is the primary interface for viewing and modifying a form's properties in Design View.

   • Steps to Access:
     1. Open the form in Design View.
     2. On the Design tab in the ribbon, click Property Sheet (if it isn't already displayed).
     3. Ensure the form itself (not a specific control) is selected by:
        • Clicking the small square in the upper-left corner of the form (where the rulers intersect).
        • OR selecting Form in the Selection Type dropdown of the Property Sheet.

2. Right-Click on the Form Selector

   The Form Selector is the small square located at the intersection of the vertical and horizontal rulers in Design View.

   • Steps to Access:
     1. Right-click the Form Selector.
     2. Select Properties from the context menu to open the Property Sheet for the form.

3. Context Menu for Any Blank Area

   You can access the form's properties by right-clicking on any blank area of the form (outside of any controls).

   • Steps to Access:
     1. Right-click a blank area on the form (not inside a control or section).
     2. Select Properties from the context menu.

4. Ribbon Menu - Design Tab

   You can directly open the Property Sheet from the ribbon.

   • Steps to Access:
     1. In Design View, go to the Design Tab in the ribbon.
     2. Click Property Sheet.
     3. Make sure "Form" is selected in the dropdown at the top of the Property Sheet.

5. Keyboard Shortcut

   A quick way to open the Property Sheet is by using a keyboard shortcut.

   • Steps to Access:
     1. Press F4 on your keyboard.
     2. The Property Sheet will open, and you can view the properties of the form or any selected object.

6. Using the Selection Type Dropdown

   The Selection Type Dropdown in the Property Sheet allows you to switch between the form and other controls.

   • Steps to Access:
     1. Open the Property Sheet (using any method above).
     2. Use the Selection Type Dropdown (top of the Property Sheet) to select "Form."

Summary The main ways to view a form's properties in Design View include:

1. The Property Sheet Panel.
2. Right-clicking the Form Selector.
3. Right-clicking a blank area of the form.
4. Using the Design tab in the ribbon.
5. Pressing the F4 shortcut key.
6. Navigating via the Selection Type Dropdown in the Property Sheet.

These methods offer flexibility depending on your workflow and preferences.

One of the features I like best about Access is that it is so customizable. Each form can be customized to perform whatever task is needed. As with tables, fields, and queries, forms have properties that affect different aspects of the form. These properties are contained on a form’s property sheet.

To change a form's properties, you need to use the form's property sheet. To open a property for a form, click the Properties toolbar button

An alternative way to get to the property is to choose Properties from the View menu.
Once the property sheet is opened, you will see four tabs on it: Format, Data, Other, and All. On the top of the property sheet should be the word Form. This will tell you that the property sheet is indeed pointing at the form's properties, rather than at section or control properties. There are two ways to make sure you are pointing at the form's properties.

The first way to point to a form’s property with the property sheet open is to click on the Form Selector button

Click the Quiz link below to answer a few questions about working with forms.
Working with Access Forms - Quiz

Click the Exercise link below to practice opening a form’s property sheet and making it point to the form's properties.
Accessing Forms Property Sheet - Exercise