Design Helper

Those who use Microsoft Office Access for constructing multiple forms or reports and building SQL queries, might require a way of enhancing their workflow. Design Helper is an add-in that was created in order to help people achieve better designs for their Access projects. Through its compact interface that assists users throughout their work process, it will offer various tools for forms, reports or SQL queries.

Being deployed as a standalone add-in, it features a straightforward installation process that will not involve any troublesome setup processes. Although presented as an addition to the Microsoft Access package, once installed, users will be able to access it through its own executable file.

Its main layout offers a tabbed solution, where all the features are distributed intuitively, for easy access. One will be able to find the following features: form / report property, control property and control prefix. Each different tool will provide users with a listing of the available predefined object types and their corresponding properties.

In order to expedite the workflow even more, the add-in features a filtering tool, where users can enter their own custom text string. New controls can be added straight from its interface and people will be able to review the current property settings and adjust them accordingly.

When using the SQL component of the add-in, one will be able to edit the queries directly, by entering the text strings in the provided, “Find and Replace” dialog box.