Copy or move a control or other item

You can copy or move items such as fields, controls, text, or macro actions. When you copy a field, control, or macro action, Microsoft Access includes any associated properties, controls, or action arguments. For example, when you copy a text box control, Access copies its label as well. When you copy a macro action by clicking the row selector, Access copies the associated action arguments, macros, and conditional expressions. However, Access doesn't copy event procedures associated with a control.

When you select an item and then use the Copy or Cut command, Microsoft Access replaces the contents of the Clipboard with that item. As long as the item is stored on the Clipboard, you can paste it wherever and whenever you want. Also, if you are in Design view of a form, report, or data access page, you can use the Duplicate command to create a copy of a control without replacing the contents of the Clipboard.

Copy or move a control or other item

  1. Select the items you want to copy or move.
  2. Do one of the following:

    To copy the item, click Copy on the toolbar.

    To move the item, click Cut on the toolbar.

  3. Click the location where you want to place the item.
  4. Click Paste on the toolbar.
Notes   

You can use the Microsoft Office Clipboard to collect and paste multiple data items such as records or groups of records, or the contents of fields or controls. However, you cannot use the Office Clipboard to collect items such as controls, macro actions, or database objects.

To a limited extent, you can determine where Microsoft Access pastes a control. If you select a section, Access pastes the control in the upper-left corner of the section. If you select a control near the area where you want to paste the control, Access pastes the control just below the selected control. Note, however, that if you paste a label on a form or report, and the control that you select doesn't have an attached label, Access attaches the label to the selected control.

Duplicate a control

  1. In Design view of a form, report, or data access page, select the control you want to duplicate. If the control has an attached label, click the control, not the label.
  2. On the Edit menu, click Duplicate.

    Microsoft Access pastes the control just below the control you selected.

  3. If you want to create another evenly spaced control, click Duplicate again.

    Microsoft Access places the control beneath the most recently pasted control, even if you moved that control.