Sizing forms, how do you do it?

[dafyddg]

Is there a way of accuratley sizing forms off the grid?

Currently i have to drag out the detail section of the form to the size i want then match up the edges of the actual window to the edfe of the detail. This seems to work but is there a more scientific was of doing things?

Why can't i just have the form sized from the size of the detail?

This is an anoying problem that i've lived with but its been getting on my nerves latley.

please help

 

[LarryDeLaruelle]

dafy:

Set the form's border style to Sizable and open the form in view. Size the form to the necessary dimensions and save (while still in view).

If you want to prevent the users from resizing the form in view, go back to design view and set the border style to Dialog.

HTH.

Larry De Laruelle
ldelaruelle@familychildrenscenter.org

 

[psemianonymous]

The other way to prevent your users from resizing the form dimensions is to repeatedly issue new frontends. Thus you keep re-writing their custom form sizes, thus you eventually wear down their resolve and break their spirit, thus your forms stay the size you want them. Problem solved.

Or you can just set the borders to dialog. But if you're in the mood, you might want to try my way.

(I have done the above, but not intentionally--only after I got some complaints did I realize that my users actually resized their forms in the first place.)

 

[LarryDeLaruelle]

Foolio:

I actually do both. The problem I have found, in our installation, has to do with screen size and resolution.

I use a 19" monitor set to 1280 x 1024 while most of the users have 15" monitors and resolution is all over the map.

I keep this in mind when designing the forms but when you have near sighted users using 800 x 600 resolution it can ruin the best of plans.

To date, I have not been successful at convincing our IT guys to give everyone 19" monitors. We get along, but they don't like me that much.

Larry De Laruelle
ldelaruelle@familychildrenscenter.org

 

[psemianonymous]

Yeah. Your 800x600 users would probably leave their resolutions at 800x600 even if they got 19" monitors...

I've gotten to love tabbed pages, perhaps more than is healthy. But it has kept me sane--I'm able to fit everything I need on an 800x600, with toolbars, assume the Office toolbar is on the right side, etc.



One last tip for the original post: on your form's properties box, under Formatting, there is an option for "Auto Resize". Make sure you fully grok this feature--it may be what you want.

 

[LarryDeLaruelle]

foolio:

You must be a Heinlein fan.

I had usually set this property to no but after rereading the description I may have to rethink that.

Thanks for the tip.

Larry De Laruelle
ldelaruelle@familychildrenscenter.org

 

[psemianonymous]

Actually, I am something of a fan, though I haven't read anything of his for a few years now. So I'm totally oblivious if I'm (inadvertently) referencing one of his works.


Pete

 

[LarryDeLaruelle]

Pete:

The term 'grok' from Stranger In A Strange Land.

One of the best Sci Fi books ever; ranks, in my opinion, with Herberts Dune series.

Larry De Laruelle
ldelaruelle@familychildrenscenter.org