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How to Move or Replace the Record Navigation Bar in Microsoft Access

Natalie Taylor Oct 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to move the built-in Record Navigation Bar from the bottom to the top of an Access form to prevent excessive scrolling when navigating complex forms.

How to Move or Replace the Record Navigation Bar in an Access Form

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing complex database forms containing multiple subforms, where reaching the default bottom navigation bar requires constant scrolling.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Access does not provide a standard or built-in setting to reposition the default Record Navigation Bar from the bottom to the top of a form.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft Access database open and possess the necessary design permissions to modify form layouts.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Tab Control to Organize Subforms

Since Access does not allow repositioning the built-in navigation bar, organizing subforms into separate tab pages eliminates the need to scroll down.

Microsoft Access restricts the built-in Record Navigation Bar to the bottom of the form window. When a main form contains multiple subforms, it increases the vertical height, pushing the navigation bar out of view.

To work around this limitation and improve user navigation, you can group subforms into separate tabs. This significantly reduces the form's overall height, keeping the default navigation bar readily accessible at the bottom of your screen.

Open Form in Design View

Locate your main form in the Navigation Pane on the left. Right-click the form and select 'Design View'.

Insert a Tab Control

Navigate to the 'Form Design' tab on the Ribbon. In the 'Controls' group, click on the 'Tab Control' icon, then click anywhere on your form to insert it.

Move Subforms to Tabs

Drag and drop your existing subforms onto the separate tab pages (e.g., Page1, Page2) of the Tab Control you just created.

Test the Layout

Right-click the form tab at the top and switch back to 'Form View'. You can now click through the tabs to view different subforms without having to scroll down to reach the navigation controls.

Creating Custom Top Navigation Buttons: If you strictly need navigation at the top of your form, you can hide the default bar (set 'Navigation Buttons' to 'No' in the Property Sheet) and manually add Button controls mapped to Record Navigation actions at the top of your form header.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely hide the Record Navigation Bar in an Access form?

Yes. Open the form in Design View, press F4 to open the Property Sheet, navigate to the Format tab, and change the 'Navigation Buttons' property to 'No'.

How do I add custom navigation buttons to my Access form?

In Design View, select the 'Button' control from the Form Design ribbon. Click on the form header to place it. The Command Button Wizard will appear; choose 'Record Navigation' under Categories, then select the desired action (e.g., Go to Next Record) and complete the wizard.

Why do my subforms cause the main form to require scrolling?

Subforms naturally expand the vertical height of the main form to display their contained records. If the combined height of these subforms exceeds your screen's resolution or the application window size, Access introduces vertical scroll bars, pushing the bottom navigation bar out of immediate view.

What is a Tab Control in Microsoft Access?

A Tab Control is a form design element that allows you to organize data, subforms, and other controls into multiple layered pages within a single form space. It operates much like browser tabs, helping to save screen real estate and prevent extensive scrolling.

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