Can't change tab order in field property sheet of Access form

Question

Can't change tab order in field property sheet of Access form

TroyD 65

Just lost the functionality of setting the tab order for a field by entering a number in the field's properties. For example, if the tab order is set to 2 for a particular field, and I change it to 4 (where greater than 4 fields exist in the form), the tab number immediately reverts back to 2 when I leave the property. The only way to adjust now is to Form Design on the Ribbon, select Tab Order, and manually drag a field to a new tab order position. I tested on an empty shell with no preset layout/themes (just the new form wizard) and confirmed the same behavior. Anyone else experiencing this, or have a solution? This is a new behavior for Access in the last week or so, as I have never had this problem before.

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Answer 1

Karl Donaubauer 2,696 MVP

Hi,

As George wrote, we have reported the problem to the Microsoft Access team. It was introduced with version 2508 and they plan to fix it before this version reaches the slower update channels. In the Current Channel, it should be fixed in the next or next-but-one build of version 2509.

Servus
Karl

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Karl Donaubauer 2,696 Reputation points MVP

2025-10-08T11:11:53.3+00:00

Hi,

Today, the bug has disappeared even from the versions and builds affected so far. So, it looks like the fix was done with a non-detectable Change/Feature Gate and you don't even need a new build.

Servus
Karl

Access Forever News DevCon
Access-Entwickler-Konferenz AEK 18.+19.10. Nürnberg

Answer 2

George Hepworth 22,220 Volunteer Moderator

I can reproduce this bug in the inability to change tab order in the property sheet in Version 2509 Build 16.0.19231.20156 32 bit.

We are gathering information to submit to Microsoft as a bug report.

Answer 3

Tammy-Ng 5,585 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Dear TroyD
Thank you for reporting your issue in the Q&A forum.

Based on your description, it appears you are unable to modify the Tab Order by entering a value directly in the Property Sheet of a field in Microsoft Access.

This behavior is commonly caused by the form being bound to a Layout, which overrides manual tab index settings. To resolve this:

Open the form in Design View.
Select any field and navigate to the Arrange tab.
If the Remove Layout option is available, click it to detach the layout.
Then, attempt to update the Tab Index again.

Alternatively, you may use the Tab Order dialog:

In Design View, select Tab Order from the Ribbon.
Rearrange the fields as needed and click OK to save.
The Auto Order feature can also be used to automatically assign tab order based on field position.

I hope this guidance proves helpful. Should you require further assistance, please feel free to reach out.

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TroyD 65 Reputation points

2025-10-01T16:31:40.2766667+00:00

I tested this on an existing form, which has never had a layout applied, and a brand new blank form (manually added fields) with no layout, and replicated the problem. I am trying to modify an existing form with over 100 fields, so the manual drag-and-drop inside the Tab Order dialog box is not ideal. Plus, I am trying to figure out why this stopped working; never had a problem with this before and it is a feature I use regularly.
TK01 0 Reputation points

2025-10-03T05:19:52.5466667+00:00

I'm also having trouble with this problem.

It worked fine up to version 2507, but it started in 2508 and continues to be a problem in 2509.

Assigning to TabIndex property in VBA code also doesn't work.
Tammy-Ng 5,585 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-03T07:36:24.6033333+00:00
Dear TroyD
Thank you very much for your response, your feedback is greatly appreciated and highly valuable.

Based on the details you’ve provided, I would like to suggest a few additional troubleshooting steps that may help address the issue:

Verify if Microsoft Access is running in Compatibility Mode

Navigate to File --> Options --> General.

Under the “About Access” section, check whether Compatibility Mode is indicated.

If so, please try reopening the database using the full version of Access outside of compatibility mode.

Create a duplicate of the form and test Tab Index functionality

In the Navigation Pane, right-click the form and select Copy, then Paste to create a new version.

Open the duplicated form and attempt to modify the Tab Index via the Property Sheet.

If successful, this may indicate that the original form has structural inconsistencies or corruption.

Ensure Microsoft Access is up to date

Go to File --> Account --> Update Options --> Update Now.

Some users have reported similar issues following recent updates. If the problem began recently, it may be related to a software update.

Please try these steps and let me know the outcome. Should you encounter any further difficulties or require additional assistance, I remain available and ready to support you.
maurizio carcano 0 Reputation points

2025-10-03T13:48:58.4833333+00:00

Dear Tammy-Ng,

I'm having the same problem.

Unable to modify Tabindex property in a form in design mode.

Unable to modify Tabindex property in VBA.

Fields aren't in a layout.

Created a new database with one table and one form and it behaves the same.

Current Version:

Microsoft® Access® per Microsoft 365 MSO (Versione 2508 Build 16.0.19127.20192) a 64 bit

Regards.

REMOVE PII
TroyD 65 Reputation points

2025-10-03T20:37:45.3666667+00:00

I don't see an "About Access" option under File --> Options --> General in Access. But under "About Access" in File --> Account, there is no evidence of Compatibility Mode. Also, this is happening every database I have checked, including newly created databases.

Regardless, I duplicated the form as you suggested in Step 2 and had the same result. I tried this in multiple databases as well.

I tested on Access databases on my laptop (Windows 11 Business Build 26100) as well as Windows 10 virtual desktop (within Windows 2019 Server Datacenter). In both of those locations, I am running Microsoft Access for Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2508 Build 16.0.19127.20192) 64-bit. I can update to v2509 tonight/this weekend, but it sounds like the same issue exists there. Thanks.

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Can't change tab order in field property sheet of Access form

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