Lesson 26: Managing Database Using DataGrid Control

Learn to display and edit database records efficiently with the powerful DataGrid control

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Key Takeaway

The DataGrid control provides an efficient way to display and edit entire database recordsets in a spreadsheet-like format, making it ideal for managing database content.

Welcome to Lesson 26 of our Visual Basic 6 Tutorial! In this lesson, you'll learn how to manage databases using the DataGrid control, which offers a powerful way to display and edit entire database recordsets in a tabular format. Unlike textboxes that display one record at a time, the DataGrid shows multiple records simultaneously.

26.1 Introduction to DataGrid Control

The DataGrid control is a powerful component for database applications that allows users to:

Display Entire Recordsets

Show multiple database records at once

Edit Records Directly

Modify data directly in the grid interface

Navigate Records

Scroll through large datasets easily

26.1.1 Adding DataGrid Control to Toolbox

To use the DataGrid control, you need to add it to your toolbox:

1Open Components Dialog

Press Ctrl+T to open the Components dialog box

2Select Controls

Check Microsoft DataGrid Control 6.0 and Microsoft ADO Data Control 6.0

3Confirm

Click OK to add controls to your toolbox

Adding DataGrid Control
Figure 26.1: Adding DataGrid Control to Toolbox

26.2 Building a Library Database Application

We'll create a book database application to demonstrate DataGrid capabilities. First, create a database file using Microsoft Access named books.mdb with a table named book containing fields like ISBN, Title, Author, Year, etc.

Library Database Table
Figure 26.2: Database Table Structure

26.2.1 Designing the Interface

After adding the DataGrid and ADO controls to your form:

Design Interface
Figure 26.3: Design Interface
Runtime Interface
Figure 26.4: Runtime Interface

26.3 Connecting to Database

To connect ADO to the database file:

1Set ConnectionString

Right-click ADO control, open properties, and set ConnectionString

2Select Database

Click Build, choose database provider, and select your database file

3Set RecordSource

In RecordSource tab, set Command Type to adCmdTable and Table to book

ADO Properties
Figure 26.5: ADO Properties
Data Link Properties
Figure 26.6: Data Link Properties
RecordSource Settings
Figure 26.7: RecordSource Settings

26.4 Configuring DataGrid Properties

After connecting the database to ADO, configure the DataGrid:

DataSource Property

Set to the name of your ADO control (e.g., Adodc1)

AllowAddNew Property

Set to True to allow users to add new records

AllowDelete Property

Set to True to allow users to delete records

AllowUpdate Property

Set to True to allow users to edit existing records

DataGrid Runtime
Figure 26.8: DataGrid Control in Action

26.5 DataGrid Programming Techniques

While the DataGrid provides many features without code, you can enhance it with programming:

26.5.1 Refreshing Data

RefreshData.frm
Private Sub cmdRefresh_Click()
    Adodc1.Refresh
    DataGrid1.Refresh
End Sub

26.5.2 Customizing Columns

ColumnSetup.frm
Private Sub Form_Load()
    ' Set column widths
    DataGrid1.Columns(0).Width = 1200  ' ISBN
    DataGrid1.Columns(1).Width = 3000  ' Title
    DataGrid1.Columns(2).Width = 2000  ' Author
    
    ' Set column headers
    DataGrid1.Columns(0).Caption = "ISBN Number"
    DataGrid1.Columns(1).Caption = "Book Title"
    DataGrid1.Columns(2).Caption = "Author"
End Sub

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, you've learned how to manage databases using DataGrid Control in VB6:

DataGrid Advantages

Efficient display and editing of entire recordsets

Setup Process

Adding DataGrid control to toolbox and connecting to databases

Database Connection

Configuring ADO control and DataGrid properties

Programming Techniques

Customizing columns and refreshing data programmatically

Important Note

The DataGrid control provides a spreadsheet-like interface that significantly simplifies database management compared to using multiple textboxes for each field.

Practice Exercises

Enhance your DataGrid application with these exercises:

Exercise 1: Column Formatting

Customize the appearance of your DataGrid columns (widths, headers, alignment)

Exercise 2: Search Function

Add a search feature to filter records in the DataGrid

Exercise 3: Record Validation

Implement validation for DataGrid edits to prevent invalid data

Exercise 4: Data Export

Add functionality to export DataGrid content to a CSV file

Exercise 5: Sorting

Implement column header click sorting functionality

Next Lesson

Continue your VB6 journey with Lesson 27: SQL Queries.

Related Resources

ADO Control

Review ADO database connection from Lesson 25

Previous Lesson

SQL Queries

Learn to query databases with SQL in VB6

Next Lesson

Database Basics

Review database fundamentals from Lesson 23

View Lesson

DataGrid Sample Code

Practical VB6 DataGrid code samples

View Examples
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