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How to Automatically Open an Access Combo Box When a Form Loads

Steven Parker Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to configure a Microsoft Access combo box to automatically expand and display its dropdown list immediately after a form opens.

How to Automatically Open an Access Combo Box When a Form Loads

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up a data entry or search form in Microsoft Access where a combo box needs to be instantly ready for user typing and searching upon form load.
Observed behavior: The combo box does not open automatically because the DropDown method is called from the wrong event or before the control has received focus.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft Access database is stored in a Trusted Location or that you have enabled VBA macros in the Trust Center, otherwise the event code will not execute.

Solution 1Recommended

Use VBA in the Form Load or Activate Event

The most reliable method to open a combo box automatically is to explicitly give the control focus first, then call the DropDown method during the form's Load or Activate event.

Calling the DropDown method will fail if the control does not currently have the focus. Placing the code in the 'On Open' event will also fail because controls are not yet fully initialized.

Open the form in Design View

Right-click your form in the Access navigation pane and select Design View.

Access the Form's Event Properties

Select the entire form, open the Property Sheet (F4), and navigate to the Event tab.

Create a Load or Activate Event

Click the ellipsis (...) next to the 'On Load' or 'On Activate' property and choose Code Builder.

Set focus to the combo box

In the VBA editor, type 'Me.YourComboBoxName.SetFocus' (replacing YourComboBoxName with your actual control's name).

Trigger the DropDown method

On the very next line, type 'Me.YourComboBoxName.DropDown' to force the list to open automatically.

Use VBA in the Form Load or Activate Event

Best Practice: Avoid placing the DropDown command inside the combo box's 'Got Focus' event, as this can cause looping or interfere with users navigating the form via the Tab key.

Solution 2

Requery the Combo Box Before Dropping Down

Use this solution if your combo box relies on dynamic source data that might have been updated by another process just before the form loads.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I get an error when using DropDown in the Access Form Open event?

The Form Open event fires before the form's controls are fully rendered and ready to receive focus. The DropDown method requires the control to have focus, which is why it must be placed in the Form Load or Activate event instead.

Do I need to requery my combo box every time it opens?

No. You only need to requery a combo box if its underlying source data (like a table or query) is frequently updated by other forms or processes while the database is actively in use.

Can I use the combo box Got Focus event to trigger DropDown?

It is generally not recommended. Relying on the Got Focus event can cause unexpected behavior, such as endless loops or preventing the user from tabbing smoothly to the next field on the form.

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