How to Hide the Access Form Navigation Bar but Keep Record Selectors
Question details
The user needs to hide the bottom navigation bar in a Microsoft Access form without removing the left-side record selectors.
- Product
- Microsoft Access
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing the user interface of an Access database form.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is to maintain the visibility of record selectors on the left side while ensuring the built-in navigation buttons at the bottom are hidden.
Ensure you have your Microsoft Access database open and possess the necessary design permissions to modify the form properties.
Adjust Form Properties in Design View
Modify the built-in properties of your Access form to specifically disable the navigation buttons while enabling record selectors.
Microsoft Access treats the navigation bar and record selectors as two distinct form properties. You can easily toggle their visibility independently through the Property Sheet in Design View.
Right-click your targeted form in the left navigation pane and select 'Design View'.
Press F4 on your keyboard, or click 'Property Sheet' located in the Design tab of the top ribbon.
Ensure the 'Selection type' drop-down menu at the very top of the Property Sheet is set to 'Form'.
Navigate to the 'Format' tab within the Property Sheet. Locate the 'Navigation Buttons' property and change its value to 'No'. Then, locate the 'Record Selectors' property and ensure its value is set to 'Yes'.
Save your form modifications and switch back to 'Form View' to verify that the bottom navigation bar is hidden and the left-side record selectors remain visible.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide the record selectors but keep the navigation buttons?
Yes, you can do the exact reverse. Open the form in Design View, access the Property Sheet, set 'Record Selectors' to 'No', and set 'Navigation Buttons' to 'Yes'.
Why would I want to hide the built-in navigation bar?
Hiding the built-in navigation bar is a common practice when developers want to strictly control user interaction through custom command buttons, preventing users from accidentally jumping to or creating unintended records.
What happens if I set both Navigation Buttons and Record Selectors to No?
If both properties are disabled, both the bottom navigation bar and the left-side margin will disappear. You will need to rely entirely on custom buttons, macros, or VBA code to navigate between records in that form.
Will hiding the navigation bar affect my database functionality?
No, hiding the navigation bar only alters the visual interface of that specific form. The underlying database tables, queries, and data remain fully intact and functional.
