Build bigger forms in Microsoft Access

For years, Microsoft Access forms came with a maximum width of 22 inches, which was suitable for various applications. However, this constraint could be a challenge when developing wide dashboards, organising numerous controls, designing for large displays, or setting up comprehensive data entry processes.

Now, with Big Forms, you can extend the width of a form up to an incredible 2,000 inches, and each vertical section can also reach up to 2,000 inches. Plus, you have the option to combine the total height of all sections and their headers to a maximum of 2,100 inches!

You can keep using the familiar Access design interface, property sheet, rulers, and scrollbars, but with significantly more space to accommodate your needs.

Expand forms up to 2,000 inches wide for dashboards that can display more fields, controls, and content side by side.

Utilise a vertical dimension of up to 2,000 inches and a total of 2,100 inches across all sections.

Change dimensions in the property sheet or resize controls directly on the design surface, just like you’re used to.

1. Open your design object.
   Load an existing form or create a new one in Design View.
2. Resize as needed.
   Drag the edge beyond the 22-inch limit or manually enter a width or height value of up to 2,000 inches in the property sheet.
3. Adjust your controls.
   Move controls into the expanded area or set larger values for Left, Top, Width, and Height as desired.
4. Save and reopen your form.
   Access will remember your expanded dimensions when you save the form.

You can read and set the expanded dimensions with the existing VBA Properties collection. Keep in mind that dimensions are measured in twips, with 1,440 twips per inch, so the maximum of 2,000 inches equals 2,880,000 twips.

Public Sub ResizeCustomerOverview() 
Const TwipsPerInch As Long = 1440 

DoCmd.OpenForm "CustomerOverview", acDesign 

With Forms("CustomerOverview") 
    .Properties("Width").Value = 100 * TwipsPerInch 
    .Section(acDetail).Properties("Height").Value = 50 * TwipsPerInch 
    .Controls("Notes").Properties("Left").Value = 24 * TwipsPerInch 
    .Controls("Notes").Properties("Width").Value = 60 * TwipsPerInch 
End With 

DoCmd.Save acForm, "CustomerOverview" 
End Sub

No new property names are needed. You can still use Properties("Left"), Properties("Top"), Properties("Width"), and Properties("Height") to manage the new larger limits.

When it comes to backward compatibility, each form is evaluated. Access will use the new saved format only if the form exceeds the previous limits. Forms that stay within the old boundaries will continue to operate with the existing format, even when saved using a version of Access that supports Big Forms.

If a form uses the expanded range, Access saves its complete values with wider properties and marks that specific form as needing Big Forms support. Trying to open an expanded form with an earlier version of Access will prompt a message indicating the need for a newer version.

The rollout of Big Forms is underway on the Current Channel, starting with version 16.0.20430.20146. Some users can already access this feature, and it’s expected that it will be available to everyone on the Current Channel soon. If you’re using this version but don’t see the expanded limits yet, keep checking back over the next few days.

To find out your version, open Access and go to File > Account > About Access.

Make the most of the expanded design surface with your forms, and don’t forget to share what works well and what could be improved.

Share your feedback on Access

Keep in mind, feature availability and timing for releases may vary depending on your update channel.