popup calculator

[ClaraBarton]

I downloaded the popup calculator Majp posted (who knew there was such a thing?). I like it but now I want to get fussy:
1. I set the equal button to default so I could press enter without it closing so I can see what the value is before accepting it. Doesn't work
2. Why doesn't the calculated value go in the field that called it? How do I get that to work?
3. I set a hidden button with a shortcut key to open it so I don't have to use the mouse. Sort of works.

 

[isladogs]

Why not just load the Windows calculator from a custom button in the ribbon?

Run External Apps from Access

This article shows how you can run external Windows applications from Access using hot keys specified in an Autokeys macro or from a custom ribbon.

www.isladogs.co.uk

 

[ClaraBarton]

That one doesn't put your number where you want it either. In data entry,

1. you call it,
2. calculate,
3. carefully select result,
4. copy it,
5. go to field,
6. paste it.

Have you ever done much data entry?

 

[isladogs]

I don't use calculated fields

 

[ClaraBarton]

One instance.... break a receipt apart into different categories and split the sales tax between them; light bulbs for the house, groceries for the hungry, a gadget for the ...
Who owes me for this bill?... 30% is Bill; 10% is Jane; the rest is mine.

 

[MajP]

I downloaded the popup calculator Majp posted (who knew there was such a thing?). I like it but now I want to get fussy:
1. I set the equal button to default so I could press enter without it closing so I can see what the value is before accepting it. Doesn't work
2. Why doesn't the calculated value go in the field that called it? How do I get that to work?
3. I set a hidden button with a shortcut key to open it so I don't have to use the mouse. Sort of works.

The "calculator" is just a home grown pop up form, nothing special. I think if you google, you will find other examples. So you should be able to add or modify anything you want. You can format it and add features as you wish.

1. I do not understand what you are asking. If you hit equal the form does not close so you can see your value.
2.The example clearly shows the value in the control being passed to the calculator and the calculator returning the value. The calculator uses the function

PopUpCalc

Function PopUpCalc(Optional BoundControl As Access.Control = Nothing) As Variant

    On Error GoTo PopUpCalc_Error
    ' Load frmCalc in dialog mode, and return the
    ' calculated value at the end of the use session.
    Const FRM_CALC = "frmCalc"
    Dim strArgs As String
    strArgs = "0"
    If Not BoundControl Is Nothing Then
      If IsNumeric(BoundControl) Then strArgs = BoundControl.Value
    End If
    DoCmd.OpenForm FRM_CALC, , , , , A_DIALOG, strArgs
    If isFormLoaded(FRM_CALC) Then
        If Not BoundControl Is Nothing Then BoundControl.Value = Forms(FRM_CALC)!lblReadOut.Caption
        DoCmd.Close A_FORM, FRM_CALC
    End If
    
    On Error GoTo 0
    Exit Function

PopUpCalc_Error:

    MsgBox "Error " & Err.Number & " (" & Err.Description & ") in procedure PopUpCalc, line " & Erl & "."

End Function

So you pass a reference to the control. Are you passing a reference to the control like in the form example?

 

[isladogs]

I've been using Access for over 25 years and do understand how to use calculated fields!
However, like many experienced developers, I choose not to use them, instead using queries or functions to perform calculations.

This is ChatGPT's explanation of why they aren't recommended together with alternative approaches:

Calculated fields in Access are generally not recommended because they can reduce performance, particularly when dealing with large datasets, as they require real-time computation. They can also complicate data integrity, as they don't store values directly and depend on other fields.

Alternatives include:

1. Storing Results in a Separate Field: Calculate the value once and store it in a separate field, updating it as needed (e.g., via a query or macro).
2. Using Queries for Calculations: Perform calculations in queries, allowing you to keep the data clean and maintain better control over when calculations are applied.
3. Using VBA: Leverage Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to handle more complex calculations and control when and how they're performed.

 

[MajP]

I do not think the OP is talking about a calculated field. I think the OP has to perform some calculations before entering a value into the table.

 

[CJ_London]

I have a simple text field where the user enters a simple calculation such as

3*(25/1.2)

The result is displayed in another text box using the eval function which the user can then copy and paste to another control

This is used in an accounting app where typically expense claims are incomplete and need to be summarised in a different way to how they are presented

 

[ClaraBarton]

yes, the eval field is what started this whole thing. I used it and it worked, (after a lot of help from here) but it wasn't pretty like this calculator.

 

[CJ_London]

it wasn't pretty like this calculator.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

No need to open another form and drag/drop functionality to drop the calculated value in the required control

 

[ClaraBarton]

hmmm...