I'm working on a form that we can use in our bakery to view and edit the customer information.
I'm working on a form that we can use in our bakery to view and edit the customer information.

And I know the employees are going to be using this form a lot, so I want to make it as pleasant
And I know the employees are going to be using this form a lot, so I want to make it as pleasant

and easy to use as possible.
and easy to use as possible.

To do that, I'm going to need to make some adjustments to the layout and formatting.
To do that, I'm going to need to make some adjustments to the layout and formatting.

The first thing I'm going to do is add a command button that the user can click to search for
The first thing I'm going to do is add a command button that the user can click to search for

a specific record.
a specific record.

To add a command button, you'll need to be in Layout view.
To add a command button, you'll need to be in Layout view.

In the Design tab, find the Controls group…
In the Design tab, find the Controls group…

click on the drop-down arrow… and make sure that Use Control Wizards is selected.
click on the drop-down arrow… and make sure that Use Control Wizards is selected.

And then select the Button command.
And then select the Button command.

Then, in the form, click where you want the button to go.
Then, in the form, click where you want the button to go.

There are many different actions that you can choose from, and they're organized under
There are many different actions that you can choose from, and they're organized under

different categories.
different categories.

Most of the time, you're probably just going to use actions from the first four categories.
Most of the time, you're probably just going to use actions from the first four categories.

The one that I want is in Record Navigation… and it's called Find Record.
The one that I want is in Record Navigation… and it's called Find Record.

Then click Next.
Then click Next.

Here, you can choose whether you want the button to display text or a picture.
Here, you can choose whether you want the button to display text or a picture.

In this case, I'm going to use the default binoculars picture, but you could also browse
In this case, I'm going to use the default binoculars picture, but you could also browse

for another picture if you want.
for another picture if you want.

In the last step, you can type a name for the button.
In the last step, you can type a name for the button.

I'll call it Search.
I'll call it Search.

And this text will not appear on the button, but it may be helpful if you need to edit
And this text will not appear on the button, but it may be helpful if you need to edit

the button later with the Property Sheet.
the button later with the Property Sheet.

Click Finish… and your button will appear on the form.
Click Finish… and your button will appear on the form.

At this point, I want to move and resize the fields so we can get a better view of everything.
At this point, I want to move and resize the fields so we can get a better view of everything.

I think everything would fit a lot better if I put it into two columns.
I think everything would fit a lot better if I put it into two columns.

You can adjust the fields just like you would in a report.
You can adjust the fields just like you would in a report.

For example, you can click on a cell… and then drag the edge to resize the column.
For example, you can click on a cell… and then drag the edge to resize the column.

Next I'm going to go to the Arrange tab… and then in the Rows & Columns group, select
Next I'm going to go to the Arrange tab… and then in the Rows & Columns group, select

Insert Right to add a column.
Insert Right to add a column.

I'm going to click it twice so that we have one column for the field labels, and another
I'm going to click it twice so that we have one column for the field labels, and another

for the actual fields.
for the actual fields.

Then I'll just click and drag the fields where I want them.
Then I'll just click and drag the fields where I want them.

You may end up with some empty rows, and you can just click on them and press the Delete
You may end up with some empty rows, and you can just click on them and press the Delete

key to get rid of them.
key to get rid of them.

And the Other Notes field, I'd like it to be larger, so I'm going to merge it with the
And the Other Notes field, I'd like it to be larger, so I'm going to merge it with the

other cells in its row.
other cells in its row.

I'll hold down the Shift key while I'm clicking each cell… and then on the Arrange tab,
I'll hold down the Shift key while I'm clicking each cell… and then on the Arrange tab,

I'll click the Merge command.
I'll click the Merge command.

Finally, I'm going to make some adjustments to the colors and fonts, just to make it look
Finally, I'm going to make some adjustments to the colors and fonts, just to make it look

a little nicer.
a little nicer.

And again, this is exactly like formatting a report.
And again, this is exactly like formatting a report.

You can go to the Design tab to add a logo or choose a theme…
You can go to the Design tab to add a logo or choose a theme…

But keep in mind, the theme applies to your entire database.
But keep in mind, the theme applies to your entire database.

So if you want to make changes that will only apply to this form, you can use the commands
So if you want to make changes that will only apply to this form, you can use the commands

in the Format tab.
in the Format tab.

Here you can adjust the colors and fonts of individual elements in the form.
Here you can adjust the colors and fonts of individual elements in the form.

I'm going to Control-click the fields that I want to change…
I'm going to Control-click the fields that I want to change…

And now I can adjust the fill color… outline color… and outline weight.
And now I can adjust the fill color… outline color… and outline weight.

I'm also going to choose a background color… and add a few final touches.
I'm also going to choose a background color… and add a few final touches.

Ok, my form is now finished.
Ok, my form is now finished.

I've added the logo for our bakery…
I've added the logo for our bakery…

I've added a shadow to the Search box from the shape effects menu… and I've also changed
I've added a shadow to the Search box from the shape effects menu… and I've also changed

the font of the form header.
the font of the form header.

Now it may take some time to get the form exactly how you want it, but once you do,
Now it may take some time to get the form exactly how you want it, but once you do,

you'll have a professional-looking form that's easy for people to use.
you'll have a professional-looking form that's easy for people to use.