Video: Create navigation forms
Applies To
Access for Microsoft 365 Access 2024 Access 2021 Access 2019 Access 2016
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Note: The information on this page applies only to Access desktop databases. Access web apps don't support navigation forms.
If you often use the same set of forms and reports, create a navigation form that groups them together. You’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.
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Open the desktop database in which you want to add a navigation form.
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On the Create tab, in the Forms group, select Navigation. Then, select the style of navigation form that you want.
Add a form or report to the navigation form
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Drag the form or report from the Navigation pane to the Add New tab. Access adds the form or report in the new Navigation Form.
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Do this again for any other forms or reports you want to add.
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Select Save
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Enter a name for the form, and select OK. The form is saved, and the form name appears on the tab above the form.
Change the label on a navigation form
When you create a new navigation form, Access adds a default label and names it “Navigation Form.” Change the label to something more descriptive.
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Select the form label and then, to begin editing, select it again.
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Edit the label to suit your needs, and then press Enter.
Apply a visual theme to a navigation form or report
Personalize your database and make it easy to find information, by changing the colors and fonts used in all your forms and reports. Try out a color-coordinated theme, or create your own.
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On the Home tab, select View > Layout View.
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On the Design tab, select Themes.
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To see how a theme will look, pause over it.
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To change all the colors and fonts, select a theme.
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To change only the colors, select Colors and then select a color.
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To change only the fonts, select Fonts and then select a text style.
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Set the navigation form as the default display form
A navigation form makes a handy home page for a database, so consider opening it automatically each time you open the database.
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Select File > Options > Current Database.
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Under Application Options, select the arrow in the Display Form box and then select the new navigation form.
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Select OK to finish.
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On the Quick Access Toolbar, select Save
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Close and then reopen the database. The navigation form opens at the same time so your frequently used forms and reports are at your fingertips.
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