How to create an in form Calculater

[Tyler1394]

I would like to start by saying I have limited programming knowledge except for one university course in C++ that I took 5 years ago. therefore I have an understanding of syntax and how they're supposed to work together but may need help in actually implementing it.

Essentially I have a bunch of different fabrics coming off a line with the possibility of various defects in each fabric. I want the operator to - in a form regarding said fabric - be able to enter the total number of defects of a type, total number of fabrics off the line, and therefore get an efficiency of the line.

I realize how this is explained, this could be solved with a simple input of both with an expression however in case the database is to evolve at some point I would like a basic calculator handy on the form.

In this way they can enter anynumber_01 , any operator, anynumber_02, equals, and then the textbox displays the result. Upon saving the form the displayed textbox value is recorded in a record.

[twinnyfo]

Tyler1394,

Welcome to Bytes!

I don't think what you are trying to do sounds terribly difficult. There are a few things which are unclear, however.

First, if you are thinking of a "calculator" interface, then start there. Create a group of command buttons with number and operator labels on them. Then, as the user clicks on those command buttons, the calculation string would build. When the user clicks the "=" button, the string would be converted to the necessary numerical values (or these could be created along the way) and the result displayed.

One point of unclarity is how you want this result displayed. Would this simply save the date and an efficiency value (e.g. 25 Jul 2016 - 99.7%), or would it save an actual string (e.g. "25 Jul 2016 - 3 defects among 1,000 fabrics = 99.7% efficiency"), or several independent values (e.g. 25 Jul 2016; 3; 1,000)?

Additionally, what have you tried so far with this database? Typically, on this site, we assist users with modifying, correcting or improving existing work, rather than creating the result for them. This is all part of the collaborative learning process.

Hope this hepps!

[Tyler1394]

Thanks for the welcome Twinnyfo!

I've attached an image showing what I was able to get to so far (although I realize now that i'm wrong).

From what I had essentially every click would simply update the textbox with the new info (click 9: textbox = 9, click 4: textbox = 4). With that I had no idea how to build up the textbox to say 94 or how I could get the VBA to save the number as a variable to then deal with an operation later (ex. 94 + X).

I believe part of that could be solved with the string operator you mentioned. I got my hands on a calculator template for access. For ever number command it has eg. #9 = handlecalc (9) where handlecalc(StrNum as String) or something like that. I suppose in this sense it would allow me to continually build the textbox up as a string. I would then need to save this is a separate variable when entering the operation and then the second input number.

I'm going to study that template for an idea of how to set up a functioning calculator, however this calculator simply does calculations without sending any information to the table. My issue would be translating/saving those inputs/results into a record of my choice (if they input 40 - move that to a record under the field of input or when they hit enter to save that value in a calculated field etc.)

With regards to your concern I would like to handle them separately so an administrator could view what all the inputs were if there were ever quality issues. In that sense (as mentioned above) I would like to be able to record almost any input (input01 saved to a record , operation, input02 saved to separate record, equals, result01 saved to third record) if that makes sense.

[twinnyfo]

So, there are several ways to use these Command buttons. One is to have a procedure dedicated to each button, as you do. The other is to have one generic function that is called when the button is clicked (e.g., in the Command Button for the "5", in the OnClick Event, put "=ButtonClick(5)"). Then, this function ButtonClick() would figure out what to do with the value sent to it.

Very rough concept below:

Private Function ButtonClick(Value As String)
On Error Goto EH
    'Declare some variables that you might need
 
    'Determine if the value sent was a number or an operator
 
    'Either concatenate the number to a previous number
    'or perform an operation
 
    'Finalize the values displayed on the form
 
    'If necessary, save the values to the table.
 
    Exit Function
EH:
    MsgBox "There was an error:" & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & _
        Err.Number & " - " & Err.Description
    Exit Function
End Function

Again, this is a skeleton concept for the code, but this method will keep your code much cleaner, and is a good way to handle many controls with similar functions.

[Tyler1394]

Thank you very much I appreciate it, i'll work on it and post back here with how it goes