How to Create Multiple Nested Continuous Subforms in Microsoft Access

How to Create Multiple Nested Continuous Subforms in Microsoft Access

In this video, I'll show you how to create multiple continuous (list) subforms inside of each other. We'll track data for a fictional college and store departments, courses, and classes. So if you want to know in which courses you'll find classes like "Neil DeGrasse Tyson's Favorite Hits" or "Which Captain is Your Favorite, and Why is it Picard?" then you'll be able to quickly locate them with these forms.

Elaine from Sante Fe, NM (an Access Expert student) asks: I have someone who wants to enter info for each of the four tables in the database in one giant form. I've created four different forms with continuous subforms. I'm stumped as to how to get them to work together, flowing from the top table selection and then related data showing through the other three tables. How do you set this up?

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BONUS FOR CHANNEL MEMBERS:
Silver Members and up get access to a 37-minute long EXTENDED CUT of this video which covers additional examples. That video will show you how to create another subform that has a list of students enrolled in each class. You will create a student table and subform, a junction table to hold a many-to-many relationship with the class table, and a combo box on that student form to select each student. Plus the Extended Cut shows how all of the initial tables and forms were built from scratch.

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KEYWORDS
microsoft access subform
ms access subform
ms access multiple subforms example
ms access filter subform
ms access create subform
ms access continuous form with subform

QUESTIONS:
Please feel free to post your questions or comments below. Thanks.

[georgec]

Thank you! I had a problem understanding how to do this. Now it's crystal clear.

[sarahbliss]

I did it! Thank you, I'm really getting into this, adapting your teaching to my needs and GETTING there! Yay!!!

[Zpilot]

Thanks for the tip. Was close but just couldn't quite get it. This video helped.
FYI. For the fields used to link the subform to the parent, you don't need hide the controls and keep them on form. You can remove them altogether. Access actually links on the fields behind the form that make up the forms recordset. :)

[edgardomachado]

Thank for all your clases I already set up my income and expenses

[nandakumarr]

Thank you great video. Cleared doubts on Multiple Continuous Subforms.

[dolittlediehard]

This is nice, almost what i needed but i also have to have calculated fields in the sub-subform and that value must show up in the outer form. Example: sub-subform contains order-lines with an order line total and in the form footer there is grand total for that order. That grand total must be visible on the outermost form. The subform contains the orderID and date whereas the outermost form is the customer details form.

[NimishP]

Excellent work. Very nicely explained.

[robwardlow]

Similar situation, but slightly more complicated. Looking to how to create a BIll of Materials system (BOM). This is where a part (assembly) contains other parts and/or sub-assemblies, which may contain their own parts or sub-assemblies, which can contain their own . . . So, any part may be a child of another part with a certain quantity, and be a child of another part with a different quantity, and may have several levels of hierarchy. How do you set that up with tables and nested forms to show the full list of parts, regardless of numbers of levels?

[michelacosta]

Hi!! Very good video!!! Could you please tell how to change the nested subform type?

[florianjritter]

I love your videos. They are amazing and help me a lot. Thank you so much!

PROBLEM: if I try to put the continuous sub form right under the continuous main form I get the same error after i try to change it back to continuous form again. Access won’t let me change it. Can this be done or must it be in the form footer?
Please help. Thank you

PS: My error says “You can’t view a form as a continuous form if it contains a subform, an ActiveX control, a bound chart or a Web browser control.”

[fdnyfish]

can nested subforms be in single form view instead of continuous forms?

[DouglasOosthuizen-IPD]

I have tried this and Access simply will not allow me to have a Continuous Form with a form containing a subform. The online forum all agree that it cannot be done. What am I doing incorrectly please?

[Shadow.Dragon]

Great video! Just what I needed. I see only one correction that needs to be made...obviously Kirk is the better Captain! LOL!

[deepashreepitrekale]

displayed records in my subform in the footer do not change as and when I click a record in the parent form. I have established relationships. What am I missing here? Could someone please help me out?

[txmmoore]

Richard - I would like to have two separate forms to enter data into one record of one table. Simply put, as I enter data in one form, I want to click a button and enter additional data in from a separate form. Show me?

[andyrobinson]

Thankyou for the video. I learnt a lot. However for some reason when I drag the subform in to the main form (and link master and child fields), and view, I get a '+' in each row which opens up the data related below. How can i get it to work like the video. Not sure what i've done wrong

[punknotdead]

How do I gain access to the extended cut ? I am already a Platinum member but can't figure out how to "Login". Thanks

[dougkimzey]

This is extremely useful! I wish there was a way to change the height of a detail section on a continuous form. My embedded subform does not show up. I'm guessing it is due to the Detail Section being too tall.

[kamleshjain]

Beautiful .. excellent... As usual 🏆✔️

[shooter]

Can you achieve the same result with tabbed subforms?

In other words, can I make an overarching "Assessment" form and make a "Master" subform that has tabs; Issues, Corrective Action Plans, Milestones

Each "Assessment" can have any number of "Issues" associated with the assessment

Each "Issue" can have any number of "Corrective Action Plans"

Each "Corrective Action Plan" can have any number of "Milestones"

I would suppose that the tabbed "Master" subform would make the overall "Assessment" record look more compact rather than have 3 or 4 nested/indented subforms on the "Master."