Continuous SubForms Example

Multiple Continuous Subforms

Displaying multiple master form records while at the same time displaying multiple detail records requires a bit of a trick when programming forms.  If you try to set the master form as continuous you will usually get an error saying it must be a single record form when you have a detail form set to continuous records.

I'm not sure what the big deal is that causes Microsoft Access to try to prevent the continuous-continuous master-detail form setup. However, the problem is easily overcome as demonstrated in our downloadable Access example.

There are two basic setups for the detail continuous form.  The first is to place the detail form in the footer section of the master form.  The second setup is to place the detail form at the same logical level as the master form.  In this second case you'll need to have a blank form on which to put both the master and detail forms - this is the standard setup when using a tabbed interface so it isn't a big deal.

In our downloadable example we demonstrate both methods - inside the main form and outside the main form.  Note the visual basic code which has different requirements for each method.

Are you ready to download our Microsoft Access Continuous-Continuous Forms demo?

More resources for continuous forms on our website:

Continuous Form Dependent Combo Box Download
We haven't come up with a truly seamless solution but we have managed to use a small trick to make the continuous form dependent combo box work.

Microsoft Access Download
If you are searching for this continuous form combo box solution then you Here we have a working database showing continuous-continuous forms with a ...

Dependent Combo Box in MS Access
This technique works great on single record forms. However, on continuous forms we have some additional work to do. See that next method in a future update.