Empty cell that won't go away on a form

[JamesWB]

(Access 2013)

This is strange. I deleted an old text box cell on a form and then I created a Combo Box from the design controls and it worked, but underneath it, the old label of the text box is still there, except now it's just described in the properties as an 'empty cell'. It still has the old text description showing on the form, but there is no caption field in the F4 properties.

I've tried everything I can think of to get rid of it, including closing the database and running a repair, but nothing works. I can select it, but I can't delete it or move it and I can't click into it to create a new label, hovering over it just produces the 'selected' cross hairs.

Anyone seen this before please?

 

[vbaInet]

Copy and paste all the controls (and code) to a new form

Or

Import the form into a new db and export from the new db back (or do a copy and paste of the form object)

Or

Use SaveAsText and LoadFromText functions.

 

[JamesWB]

Copy and paste all the controls (and code) to a new form

Or

Import the form into a new db and export from the new db back (or do a copy and paste of the form object)

Or

Use SaveAsText and LoadFromText functions.

Ooo. That sounds scary. I really have to do all that? Is this some kind of corrupted file issue then?

 

[vbaInet]

Sounds like it.

 

[JamesWB]

Sounds like it.

Gosh, doesn't sound very good. Would like to know then how I can avoid this happening again, I'm not aware that I did anything unusual, I first deleted a control and then drew a new one in the same place.

 

[vbaInet]

It just happens once in a while, sometimes a fresh form just helps to clear all the gunk.

Just make sure that AutoCorrect (in Access options) is turned off.

 

[JamesWB]

It just happens once in a while, sometimes a fresh form just helps to clear all the gunk.

Just make sure that AutoCorrect (in Access options) is turned off.

Oh, OK, I will, thanks for the tip. Copying it and then copying it back worked. Just somewhat annoying I suppose.

 

[vbaInet]

Always remember to backup in case something drastic happens

 

[spikepl]

This ain't no gunk but a new feature since 2010. If you have controls in a layout, and delete one of them there now remains an EmptySpace in its stead. That space can be deleted too. But if you remove the layout prior to deletion then the empty space does not appear. BTW -the empty space also kills the possibility of running A2010 db's under A2007.

 

[vbaInet]

Surely it wouldn't have properties.

...except now it's just described in the properties as an 'empty cell'. It still has the old text description showing on the form, ...

 

[spikepl]

If you examine the "empty space" carefully, you'll see some dots marking what is not there

 

[vbaInet]

Oh that!!!

 

[Minty]

Sorry for the thread resurrection...

Is there a way to list any forms with "Empty Cells" I'm having a nightmare trying to make a 2010 db open in 2007, and really don't know what else could be the issue...

 

[Mickle]

Hey guys, I just ran into this problem and seem to have found a way to delete the empty space so - just sharing for future encounterers of this problem...

If you right click on the "empty cell" and change it's layout, e.g. to stacked or to tabular etc., then it will allow you to delete it. I hope this helps someone and doesn't corrupt anything!