How to Bind Data Controls Across Multiple Forms in VB 4.0

MORE INFORMATION

With Microsoft Visual Basic version 4.0, you can now assign or set the RecordSet property of a Data Control to any other recordset -- including an existing Dynaset, Snapshot, or Table object. In addition, you can update the bound fields of the Data Control to reflect changes in the recordset. This allows all bound fields on all open forms to scroll through the same recordset.

Step by Step Example

1. In Visual Basic, start a new project (Alt, F, N). Form1 is created by default. Add a data control (Data1) and two text boxes (text1 and text2) to Form1.
2. Using the following table as a guide, set the following properties of the controls on Form1:

      Control     Property        Value
      --------------------------------------
      Data1       DatabaseName    BIBLIO.MDB
      Data1       RecordSource    Titles
      Text1       DataSource      Data1
      Text1       DataField       Title
      Text2       DataSource      Data1
      Text2       DataField       Year Published
   						

3. Add the following code to the Load() event of Form1.

      Sub Form1_Load()
         Data1.Refresh  ' Data control must be refreshed before showing form2.
         Form2.Show     ' Load second form that refers to data control on
                        ' this form.
      End Sub
   						

4. Add a second form to the project (ALT, I, F). Form2 is created by default. Add a data control (Data1) and two text boxes (Text1 and Text2) to Form2.
5. Using the following table as a guide, set the following properties of the controls on Form2:

      Control     Property        Value
      ----------------------------------
      Text1       DataSource      Data1
      Text2       DataSource      Data1
   						

6. Add the following code to the Form_Load event of Form2.

      Sub Form_Load ()
         Text1.DataField = "Subject"   ' Assign the bound field values.
         Text2.DataField = "Comments"
         Set Data1.Recordset = Form1.Data1.Recordset  ' This is the key.
      End Sub
   						

7. Press the F5 key to run the program. The two forms should display on the screen. When you click either Data Control to scroll through the recordset, the bound fields on both forms will scroll at the same time.