Chapter 10. Multiuser Applications

13.2 Use Labels or Other Controls for Record Navigation

13.2.1 Problem

You don't want to use images for the navigation buttons on your pages; you'd prefer to simply use labels that say "Previous", "Next", and so forth.

13.2.2 Solution

The default navigation images function as they do because each is a member of a particular class. You can use another type of control for navigation by adding the correct class name to the control's ClassName property.

Our solution, found in the Custom Nav Text DAP in the sample database, uses labels to create the look shown in Figure 13-5.

Figure 13-5. This page uses navigation labels instead of images

To use labels as navigation controls, follow these steps:

1. Create a new page and add whatever data you'd like.

2. Delete all navigation control buttons from the navigation section.

3. Place labels in the navigation control section for each navigation function (First, Previous, Next, Last).

4. Select the "First" label and view its properties sheet. The ClassName property should read:

   MSTheme-Label

5. Change the ClassName property so that it includes the appropriate class for the first navigation button, msoNavFirst. The ClassName property should now read:

   MSTheme-Label msoNavFirst

6. Change the ClassName properties for each navigation control to include the class name for its function. Table 13-1 lists all the classes for navigation controls.

    

   Table 13-1. Navigation functions and their class names

   Function	Class name
   First	msoNavFirst
   Previous	msoNavPrevious
   Next	msoNavNext
   Last	msoNavLast
   New	msoNavAddNew
   Delete	msoNavDelete
   Save	msoNavSave
   Undo	msoNavUndo
   Sort Ascending	msoNavSortAsc
   Sort Descending	msoNavSortDesc
   Filter by Selection	msoNavFilter
   Filter Toggle	msoNavToggleFilter
   Help	msoNavHelp
   Recordset Label	msoNavRecordsetLabel

    

7. Run the page and test the navigation labels. You should notice that although the labels function properly, the cursor turns into an I-beam when you move the mouse over it. You can fix this by changing the Cursor property of each label, as described in Steps 8-9.

8. Return to design view. Select all of the navigation labels and view the properties sheet.

9. Change the Cursor property for the labels to "hand".

10. Run the page again. Now the cursor should change to a pointing finger when you move the mouse over one of the labels.