How to Fix #Error in Microsoft Access Report Control Source
Question details
The user encounters an #Error message on an Access report because its control source references the .Text property of a text box on an open form.
- Product
- Microsoft Access
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Pulling data from an active form into a report's control source using an expression.
- Observed behavior
- The report displays #Error instead of the expected value because the referenced text box does not have active focus.
Ensure that the form you are referencing is currently open in Form View and that the control names in your expression exactly match those on the form.
Remove the .Text Property and Use the Default Value
Modify the control source expression to rely on the default .Value property, which does not require the control to have focus.
In Microsoft Access, the .Text property of a text box is only accessible while that specific control holds the active focus. When a report runs to pull data, the form's text box loses focus, which triggers the #Error message in the report.
By removing the .Text extension from your expression, Access automatically defaults to using the .Value property. The .Value property retains its data regardless of which control currently has focus, allowing the report to display the information successfully.
Right-click your report in the Navigation Pane and select 'Design View'.
Select the text box control that is displaying the #Error. Press F4 to open the Property Sheet, and navigate to the 'Data' tab to find the 'Control Source' property.
Remove the '.Text' property from the end of your formula. For example, change '=[Forms]![frmSubjectOverTimeChartInput]![txtTitle].Text' to '=[Forms]![frmSubjectOverTimeChartInput]![txtTitle]'.
Save the changes to your report and switch to 'Report View' or 'Print Preview' to verify that the #Error is gone and the correct value is displayed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the .Text property cause an #Error in Access reports?
In Access, the .Text property holds the uncommitted text currently being typed into a control. This property is strictly available only when the control has active focus. When generating a report, focus leaves the form, making the .Text property temporarily unavailable and triggering an #Error.
Can I use the Expression Builder to properly reference a form's text box?
Yes. You can click the ellipsis (...) next to the Control Source property to open the Expression Builder. Navigate to Loaded Forms, select your open form, and double-click the desired text box. The builder will automatically insert the correct reference using the default .Value property.
Does the referenced form need to remain open for the report to work?
Yes. The form must remain open (either visible or hidden) while the report is being viewed or printed. If the form is completely closed, the report cannot retrieve the data, and it will either prompt you for a parameter value or display an error.
