Access 2007 Custom Menu Bars

[Wayne]

I've been clicking around Access 2007 Beta 2 and can't see the custom
menu bar designer. Is it in the beta? Maybe I'm blind. The question
that comes to mind is: Will custom menu bars be the same height as they
were in previous versions or will they be the "ribbon" style that takes
up a huge portion of the screen?

Also when I use Access 2007 to open an Access 2003 database that has
custom menu bars they display as they did in Access 2003. If I convert
this same database to the Access 2007 format the custom menu bars seem
to be lost and don't display.

Given that the final version would hopefully be able to convert the
custom menu bars of earlier versions, if they are the ribbon style,
this will spell trouble for any forms designed for full or near full
screen display ie. they won't fit the screen with the ribbon style menu
bar taking up the space that it does.

['69 Camaro]

Hi, Wayne.

I've been clicking around Access 2007 Beta 2 and can't see the custom
menu bar designer. Is it in the beta?
Kinda. One can customize the Quick Access Toolbar by adding built-in
commands, but no custom commands.

Select the Office button in the top left corner of the screen, then select
the "Access Options" button on the bottom right of the pop-up window to open
the Access Options dialog window.

Select the "Customizat ion" navigation menu item on the left, then select the
"Choose commands from" combo box and select from the menus or sections that
contain the functions you want. Select an item in the list, then select the
"Add > >" button to add it to the toolbar.

When you're done adding the buttons you'd like, select the "OK" button to
close the window. You also have the option of placing the Quick Access
Toolbar above or below the UI ribbon.
Will custom menu bars be the same height as they
were in previous versions
The Quick Access Toolbar appears to me to be the same height, but one cannot
create custom menu bars (CommandBars) in Access 2007 database format.
or will they be the "ribbon" style that takes
up a huge portion of the screen?
One can build custom UI ribbons for the Office 2007 applications by writing
code. XML code. Really.
If I convert
this same database to the Access 2007 format the custom menu bars seem
to be lost and don't display.
Access 2007 database format doesn't support CommandBars. CommandBars have
been replaced throughout the Office 2007 applications with the UI ribbon.
Given that the final version would hopefully be able to convert the
custom menu bars of earlier versions
The final version isn't going to make this easier. If you want to "convert"
your custom CommandBars from the earlier versions, you'll either have to
manually add the buttons to the Quick Access Toolbar, or you'll have to
write the XML code for your own custom UI ribbons.
they won't fit the screen with the ribbon style menu
bar taking up the space that it does.
Oh, that. See the tabs at the top of the UI ribbon? Home, Create, External
Data, Database Tools, et cetera? Double-click on any one of the tabs.
Squeeze. Double-click on one of the tabs again. Expand. Convenient, huh?
That makes up for Microsoft's claims that Access 2007 is designed to be
easier for Access developers, doesn't it? ;-)

HTH.
Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips and tutorials.
http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/ex...ributors2.html for contact
info.
"Wayne" <cq*******@volc anomail.com> wrote in message
news:11******** *************@u 72g2000cwu.goog legroups.com... I've been clicking around Access 2007 Beta 2 and can't see the custom
menu bar designer. Is it in the beta? Maybe I'm blind. The question
that comes to mind is: Will custom menu bars be the same height as they
were in previous versions or will they be the "ribbon" style that takes
up a huge portion of the screen?

Also when I use Access 2007 to open an Access 2003 database that has
custom menu bars they display as they did in Access 2003. If I convert
this same database to the Access 2007 format the custom menu bars seem
to be lost and don't display.

Given that the final version would hopefully be able to convert the
custom menu bars of earlier versions, if they are the ribbon style,
this will spell trouble for any forms designed for full or near full
screen display ie. they won't fit the screen with the ribbon style menu
bar taking up the space that it does.

[Albert D.Kallal]

As pointed out, if you want old style menus, you have to keep your database
in 2003 (or earlier) format.

The new system allows you to build ribbons, but menus are gone.

I plan on writing a converter, but my "to do" list is rather large right
now.......
--
Albert D. Kallal (Access MVP)
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
pl************* ****@msn.com
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal

[Wayne]

Thanks for the feedback.

I find it frustrating that custom menu bars will no longer be an
option. I use them extensively in my applications. As for being able
to design custom ribbons, unless I misunderstand, I'll be forced to
sacrifice a huge amount of screen real estate to a ribbon that may only
contain a couple of items. I'm assuming that the ribbon will remain at
the standard height irrespective of how many "menu items" it contains.

['69 Camaro]

Hi, Wayne.

I find it frustrating that custom menu bars will no longer be an
option.
If it's a built-in function, then you can always add it to the Quick Access
Toolbar, but if you have custom functions, then you'll have to write XML
code.
As for being able
to design custom ribbons, unless I misunderstand, I'll be forced to
sacrifice a huge amount of screen real estate to a ribbon that may only
contain a couple of items.
Well, if they're built-in functions, then place those buttons on the Quick
Access Toolbar and squeeze the UI ribbon to minimum height.
I'm assuming that the ribbon will remain at
the standard height irrespective of how many "menu items" it contains.
I suspect you're right. Standardization and all that.

HTH.
Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips and tutorials.
http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/ex...ributors2.html for contact
info.
"Wayne" <cq*******@volc anomail.com> wrote in message
news:11******** **************@ i40g2000cwc.goo glegroups.com.. . Thanks for the feedback.

I find it frustrating that custom menu bars will no longer be an
option. I use them extensively in my applications. As for being able
to design custom ribbons, unless I misunderstand, I'll be forced to
sacrifice a huge amount of screen real estate to a ribbon that may only
contain a couple of items. I'm assuming that the ribbon will remain at
the standard height irrespective of how many "menu items" it contains.

[Albert D.Kallal]

>I'm assuming that the ribbon will remain at

the standard height irrespective of how many "menu items" it contains.

I just don't know the above yet.........

If I can shrink it down in size, then I certainly use the feature more. For
my existing applications, likely they will stay in a2003.

However, if the ribbon can be sized down a bit, then I will certainly use
them, and move my menus to it....

I *often* wanted something larger then tool bars...but, not quite as large
as the ribbon is now!

--
Albert D. Kallal (Access MVP)
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
pl************* ****@msn.com
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal

[Lyle Fairfield]

Wayne wrote:

I've been clicking around Access 2007 Beta 2 and can't see the custom
menu bar designer. Is it in the beta? Maybe I'm blind. The question
that comes to mind is: Will custom menu bars be the same height as they
were in previous versions or will they be the "ribbon" style that takes
up a huge portion of the screen?

Also when I use Access 2007 to open an Access 2003 database that has
custom menu bars they display as they did in Access 2003. If I convert
this same database to the Access 2007 format the custom menu bars seem
to be lost and don't display.

Given that the final version would hopefully be able to convert the
custom menu bars of earlier versions, if they are the ribbon style,
this will spell trouble for any forms designed for full or near full
screen display ie. they won't fit the screen with the ribbon style menu
bar taking up the space that it does.

I think one can create custom menu bars and dropdowns in code. I
haven't been able to find any ui provision for this.
And my efforts are still very clumsy. Regardless this adds a
menu-command visible by selecting add-ins which pops up the message
"loop".
The whole thing requires mucho imnprovement:
(I haven't read all the thread and if someone has already pointed this
out, or a better way, then I'm sorry I wasted your time.)

Sub temp3()
Set myMenuBar = CommandBars.Act iveMenuBar
Set newMenu = myMenuBar.Contr ols.Add(Type:=m soControlPopup,
Temporary:=True )
newMenu.Caption = "Custom2"
Set ctrl1 = newMenu.Command Bar.Controls _
.Add(Type:=msoC ontrolButton, Id:=1)
With ctrl1
.OnAction = "= tempfunction()"
.Caption = "Test"
.TooltipText = "Just a Test"
.Style = msoButtonCaptio n
End With
End Sub

Public Function tempfunction()
MsgBox "loop"
End Function

Oh, I think we need to set a reference to the Office 12 library.

[David W. Fenton]

"Albert D.Kallal" <Pl************ *******@msn.com > wrote in
news:exxfg.2180 93$P01.84798@pd 7tw3no:

I *often* wanted something larger then tool bars...but, not quite
as large as the ribbon is now!

I think that this is the kind of discussion that ought to be on the
Access blog in comments on posts that cover the relevant UI
components. There needs to be a way for the Access team to get this
kind of feedback from developers, and that looks like an obvious
place for it.

--
David W. Fenton http://www.dfenton.com/
usenet at dfenton dot com http://www.dfenton.com/DFA/

[Larry Linson]

"'69 Camaro" wrote

I'm assuming that the ribbon will remain at
the standard height irrespective of how many
"menu items" it contains.

I suspect you're right. Standardization and all that.

"But," said the UI person at Microsoft, "they are _only_ the height of three
toolbars." Of course, not a single one of the Access applications I created
since 1993 have created that used even two toolbars. <SIGH! Why do I have
this nagging suspicion that those 'Softies are provided with 23" screens? >

But, of course, I guess it was important that they have room for their
larger icons that to me are just as cryptic as the smaller ones have been.

Larry Linson_

[Albert D.Kallal]

> I find it frustrating that custom menu bars will no longer be an

option.
If your appcation has code that creates menu bars and options, they *will*
appear. In other words, the command bars object is still avaling, and is
done so for compatibliry. the downpart is that they will appear in the
ribbon.
I'll be forced to
sacrifice a huge amount of screen real estate to a ribbon that may only
contain a couple of items. I'm assuming that the ribbon will remain at
the standard height irrespective of how many "menu items" it contains.

If look at the ribbon, it is broken into tabs. If you double click on a
ribbon tab, then the ribbon hides. So, you can well easily hide the ribbon.

I don't know about changing the "height" of the ribbon just yet....
--
Albert D. Kallal (Access MVP)
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
pl************* ****@msn.com
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal