topic Re: How to create a form in Python Questions

How to create a form

HectorChapa — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:06:30 GMT

I have an access database that we have forms that we input data that we use to address customers.
One of the question is can ArcMap have an ability to create a form maybe attach to a point layer.
Any suggestions would this be done through python.
Any help much appreciate or what are my options.

Re: How to create a form

ChristopherThompson — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:22:53 GMT

would this form be a duplicate of one that already exists in Access? or would it be for filling in fields that aren't in the Access DB?

Re: How to create a form

HectorChapa — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:39:20 GMT

The form is in access database. What you mean by duplicate forms.
The reason i wanted in arcmap because we geoproccess the form into a point in the map.
In other words we have to open access database to look at the information then open arcmap and put the data as an address point thats tidious. we want to populate a form and that form because a point in the map. Any solutions.

Re: How to create a form

CameronWallace — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:57:23 GMT

Definitely possible to have a "form" in ArcMap that prompts you to type in values... are you looking to add new records to a table? Or are you looking to add new points or polygons?
If you have the correct attributes/domains, and have an edit session open, the "form" is the attributes window...

IF you're looking to append data to a table, you could write a script to append a row to the table, and attach the script to a tool.

If you're not talking about doing this in Desktop, but rather in a web-application...

It really depends on you're purpose etc.

Re: How to create a form

ChristopherThompson — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:15:27 GMT

In other words we have to open access database to look at the information then open arcmap and put the data as an address point

I'd recommend using the database as the single point for any data entry and management. Work on a process to bring those data into GIS to create your point data against those tables instead. The more places you have to enter and manage data, the more opportunity for error get introduced. Access is going to have far better capabilites for creating data entry forms and quality control on the data entry process than you have within ArcMap.

Re: How to create a form

HectorChapa — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:31:55 GMT

Here is the link to the video wat i am trying to explain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S8KqE5u5W4&feature=youtu.be

Re: How to create a form

HectorChapa — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:32:30 GMT

Use this link instead
\

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S8KqE5u5W4

Re: How to create a form

HectorChapa — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:33:00 GMT

Make sure to watch it in 720 and full screen

Re: How to create a form

Zeke — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 20:57:41 GMT

Well, if your data is in a personal geodatabase, that's Access right off the bat, maybe make it easier.

Re: How to create a form

KimOllivier — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 05:06:45 GMT

It's a very good question, and one would expect a facility to do exactly that. Link to a nice form from ArcMap without having to redevelop the Access form.

It might be possible to call up the form from a Python script using the COM interface, but I have not done it myself. I have opened Excel spreadsheets and Word documents. How to do this is well described in the book Python Programming on Win32 by Hammond.
http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-WIN32-Windows-Programmers/dp/1565926218

I expect that if you are familiar with programming in Access you will be able to call your form from a Python script running in ArcMap.
Do post a how-to if your are successful.
You will need to install the win32all module which is also needed for the Pythonwin IDE.
Here is an example opening a spreadsheet:

from win32com.client import Dispatch
xlApp = Dispatch("Excel.Application")
xlApp.Visible = 1
xlApp.Workbooks.Add()

Re: How to create a form

karlkliparchuk1 — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 14:47:22 GMT

You could also try building the form using Tkinter. You need to import tkinter into your python code before using. There is sample code around that ESRI has developed showing scroll boxes, pick lists, etc.

Re: How to create a form

ChrisSnyder — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 05:06:48 GMT

Like Kim was saying... use the win32com module to give Python access to your form:

from win32com.client import Dispatch
strDbName = 'my_database.mdb'
objAccess = Dispatch("Access.Application")
objAccess.Visible = False
objAccess.OpenCurrentDatabase(strDbName)
objDB = objAccess.CurrentDb()
objAccess.OpenForm('my_form')

You should be able to drill down even farther to the actual form objects... for example, interactively populate the form's lat/long info. It works just like VBA once you have a COM hook into the objAccess.