Checkbox TripleState "Null" looks same as "No" in Windows XP

[Rick Raubenheimer]

I am running Microsoft Access 2003, using a Checkbox with property
TripleState = Yes. When I view it on Windows XP with a Windows Classic
theme, the "Null" checkbox value looks grey, and the "No" or "False" value
gives a white checkbox. However when I or my customer use a Windows XP
theme, "Null" and "No/False" look exactly the same!

a) How can Microsoft be so totally irresponsible as to produce a theme in
which VITAL information is hidden IN THEIR OWN PROGRAM?

b) What can I do to fix it (apart from demanding that all my customers use a
Windows "Classic" theme)?

c) When will Microsoft issue a Fix for this bug for Access 2003?

 

[Danny J. Lesandrini]

It's not what you want to hear, but why are you using a checkbox to represent
a tripple state choice. Even advanced users can't tell the difference between
a checkbox with an NULL selection and one with a NO selection.

Replace your checkboxes with combo boxes which include a NULL option.

 

[Rick Raubenheimer]

"Why am I using a checkbox to represent a triple state choice?" Because (a)
it exists and (b) it is more compact and easier to program with than a combo
box and (c) it ties in visually with the field being searched, which is a
checkbox, and (d) it worked perfectly fine on Windows before XP (and still
does with a "Classic" theme).

Perhaps you can tell me why Microsoft destroys (or hides) perfectly good
functionality?

Here are some possibilities:
1. It seemed like a good idea to some shortsighted Microsoft programmer
while he was stoned out of his mind on coffee at 3 a.m. with a deadline to
meet, and nobody has ever fixed it.
2. Microsoft's research shows that average Windows users are too dumb to
understand a "3-D" effect, so everything must now look "flat".
3. It was spotted by the secret "Microsoft Useful Features Removal Team",
who are dedicated to destroying features users find useful.
4. Microsoft's slogan is "Change for No Good Reason": This is after all the
company that thinks a "ribbon" occupying extra screen space is a great
replacement for menus and toolbars, necessitating the loss of millions of
man-hours re-training users.

 

[Danny J. Lesandrini]

Rick, I'm not excusing Microsoft for the issue, though I vaguely recall that there
was something to toggle to make it work with all windows themes. I hesitated
to mention it until I could check with Sco Scofield ... he's the one who explained
it to me years ago, but I think it will solve your problem.

What I was saying is that a NULL checkbox is not intuitive. I have about 20 users
of my Access apps in house today and I'll bet not 3 of them would know what a
NULL setting on a checkbox means. In fact, when I explained it to one guy who
was the application "owner", he asked me to convert all tripple-state checkboxes
to combo boxes. That's all I was getting at.

I'll contact Sco and see if I can figure out how the issue is resolved.

 

[Danny J. Lesandrini]

Rick:

Didn't get ahold of Sco, but here's the option. Couldn't find it in my Access 2002
version, but it exists in Access 2003. Try toggling this for the app and let me know
if that fixes it.

You could try unchecking this option:
Tools | Options | Forms | Use Windows Themed Controls on Forms

 

[Rick Raubenheimer]

You could try unchecking this option:

Tools | Options | Forms | Use Windows Themed Controls on Forms

It works! Well done and thank you very much for your trouble! I have yet to
test whether it carries over to another PC (i.e whether the setting is for
the database or for the PC, but the former seems likely).

Just in case it's not, or in case it is useful to someone else, I did find
another (highly counter-intuitive) solution: Select the check boxes, set
Border Style = dots, then set Special Effect back to Sunken. The 3-D effect
(and visual distinction between Null and NO) reappears. This also works with
Combo Boxes and Text boxes to return them to 3-D. Your method is better
because buttons also show 3-D.

I have to admit I agree with you about Triple State being unknown to most
users. I have to train my clients how to use it, and back it up with a
verbose ToolTip!

Thanks again & RICKgards!

 

[Markus Sanarko]

I have the same problem, then I try to change these properties of the check
box:

Special Effect = Flat
Border Style = Transparent