Microsoft KB Archive/280571

= ACC2002: TAB Key Does Not Move Focus to All Controls in a Wizard =

Article ID: 280571

Article Last Modified on 11/6/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Access 2002 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q280571



This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and to a Microsoft Access project (.adp).

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.



SYMPTOMS
You cannot use the TAB key to move focus to some controls in an Access wizard. For example, you cannot move focus to certain command buttons in a wizard.



CAUSE
Access wizards are simply Access forms with command buttons placed in the form footer. Access forms do not allow you to use the TAB key to move the focus to controls in form headers and footers.

Access wizards can also be Access main forms with subforms with the command buttons placed on the main form. When the wizard opens, focus is on the subform. Access subforms do not allow you to use only the TAB key to move the focus to controls on a main form.



RESOLUTION
Most Access wizards have Cancel, Next, and Finish command buttons. If you cannot move focus to some of these buttons in an Access wizard by pressing only the TAB key, you can typically press CTRL+TAB to move to the buttons.

When you press ENTER, you typically trigger the Next button. If the Next button is not available, but the Finish button is available, then pressing ENTER triggers the Finish button.

You can also press ALT+N to trigger the Next button or ALT+F to trigger the Finish button.

You can press the ESC key to trigger the Cancel button.



STATUS
This behavior is by design.



MORE INFORMATION
For accessibility reasons, a user may find it more efficient to use keyboard strokes and to avoid the mouse pointer as much as possible (or completely). It is common for a user to want to move the focus to an object within a Windows program (such as a command button on an Access form) by pressing the TAB key, and then to activate that object once it has the focus. In Access wizards, however, the TAB key does not always move the focus to every object in the wizard.

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

 * 1) Start Access and open the sample database Northwind.mdb.
 * 2) In the Database window, click Reports under Objects, and then double-click Create report by using wizard.
 * 3) After the Report Wizard starts, press the TAB key five times. Note that the Cancel, Next, and Finish command buttons never receive focus.

