ACC: Dirty Property Not Recognized on Unbound Forms (121677)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Access 2.0
  • Microsoft Access for Windows 95 7.0
  • Microsoft Access 97
This article was previously published under Q121677
Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

SYMPTOMS

When you reference the Dirty property of an unbound form (a form that is not based on a table or query), you may receive the following error message.

In Microsoft Access 7.0 and 97:
Run-time error '2455': You entered an expression that has an invalid reference to the property Dirty

In Microsoft Access 2.0:
Invalid reference to field 'Dirty'

CAUSE

The Dirty property is unavailable on unbound forms. The Dirty property was intended to indicate if the current record in the forms recordset is in edit mode. Because an unbound form has no recordset (the RecordSource property is blank) the Dirty property is not available.

RESOLUTION

Set the form's RecordSource property to a table, query, or SQL statement.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior


  1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in Microsoft Access 2.0).
  2. Create a blank, new form. Do not base the form on any table or query.
  3. Add a text box to the form.
  4. Save the form as Test.
  5. View the form in Form view.
  6. Open the Utility Functions module.
  7. On the View menu, click Debug Window (or Immediate Window in Microsoft Access 2.0.)
  8. In the Debug window, type the following line, and then press ENTER:

    ? forms!test.Dirty

    Note that you receive the error message mentioned earlier in this article.

REFERENCES

For more information about the Dirty property, search the Help Index for "Dirty," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/6/2003
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB121677
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