Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this lesson, we will explain what Class Modules are in Microsoft Access and how they differ from standard modules, form modules, tables, and other objects. We will discuss classes, instances, properties, methods, encapsulation, and object variables, then walk through creating a simple CLSEmployee class with an EmployeeName property and DisplayGreeting method. You will also learn when class modules can help organize related data and behavior, and when a standard module is the simpler choice.
Rory from Provo, Utah (a Gold Member) asks I am building an employee database in Access and most of my code is in standard modules and form events. I noticed that Access also has class modules, and I have seen examples where developers create objects to store and manage information. How are class modules different from tables, form code, and standard modules, and when would it make sense to use them in an Access database?
Silver Members & up get access to an Extended Cut of this video. In the extended cut, we will build another class module example. This time, we'll make a Stopwatch class so that each form can have its own dedicated stopwatch timer that the user can start and stop. It's another example to demonstrate the basics of class modules.
MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED CUT VIDEO:
youtu.be/L-7lQx1g-0E
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
02:32 Understanding Standard Modules
05:30 What Is a Class Module?
07:14 Properties, Methods, and Encapsulation
09:01 Creating Class Instances
10:44 Standard Modules vs. Class Modules
11:53 Classes You Already Use in Access
13:24 Class Events
14:22 Building a Simple Employee Class
15:21 Prerequisites
15:45 Creating Class Properties and Methods
20:56 Using Class Objects in a Form
24:54 When to Use Class Modules
27:55 Advanced Class Module Features
28:52 Recommended Courses
29:14 Conclusion
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RECOMMENDED COURSES:
Class Modules in Access Developer 50: 599cd.com/ACD50
Advanced Class Techniques in Access Developer 51: 599cd.com/ACD51
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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Access
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microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/access
KEYWORDS:
TechHelp, Access 2016, Access 2019, Access 2021, Access 2024, Access 365, Microsoft Access, MS Access, MS Access Tutorial, #msaccess, #microsoftaccess, #help, #howto, #tutorial, #learn, #lesson, #training, #database, Access class modules, standard modules vs class modules, VBA custom objects, VBA properties and methods, Property Get Let Set, VBA object instantiation, encapsulation, Class_Initialize, Class_Terminate, employee class module, VBA memory leaks
QUESTIONS:
Please feel free to post your questions or comments below. Thanks.
Live long, and prosper.
In this lesson, we will explain what Class Modules are in Microsoft Access and how they differ from standard modules, form modules, tables, and other objects. We will discuss classes, instances, properties, methods, encapsulation, and object variables, then walk through creating a simple CLSEmployee class with an EmployeeName property and DisplayGreeting method. You will also learn when class modules can help organize related data and behavior, and when a standard module is the simpler choice.
Rory from Provo, Utah (a Gold Member) asks I am building an employee database in Access and most of my code is in standard modules and form events. I noticed that Access also has class modules, and I have seen examples where developers create objects to store and manage information. How are class modules different from tables, form code, and standard modules, and when would it make sense to use them in an Access database?
Silver Members & up get access to an Extended Cut of this video. In the extended cut, we will build another class module example. This time, we'll make a Stopwatch class so that each form can have its own dedicated stopwatch timer that the user can start and stop. It's another example to demonstrate the basics of class modules.
MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED CUT VIDEO:
youtu.be/L-7lQx1g-0E
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
02:32 Understanding Standard Modules
05:30 What Is a Class Module?
07:14 Properties, Methods, and Encapsulation
09:01 Creating Class Instances
10:44 Standard Modules vs. Class Modules
11:53 Classes You Already Use in Access
13:24 Class Events
14:22 Building a Simple Employee Class
15:21 Prerequisites
15:45 Creating Class Properties and Methods
20:56 Using Class Objects in a Form
24:54 When to Use Class Modules
27:55 Advanced Class Module Features
28:52 Recommended Courses
29:14 Conclusion
BECOME A MEMBER:
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCl7-jJie4ifOVK87FINIuDg/join
or My Site: 599cd.com/THMember
LEARN MORE:
Class Modules: 599cd.com/ClassModules
PREREQUISITES:
Intro to VBA: 599cd.com/IntroVBA
LINKS:
ByRef v ByVal: 599cd.com/ByRef
RECOMMENDED COURSES:
Class Modules in Access Developer 50: 599cd.com/ACD50
Advanced Class Techniques in Access Developer 51: 599cd.com/ACD51
FREE TEMPLATE DOWNLOADS:
TechHelp Free Templates: 599cd.com/THFree
Blank Template: 599cd.com/Blank
Contact Management: 599cd.com/Contacts
Order Entry & Invoicing: 599cd.com/Invoicing
More Access Templates: 599cd.com/AccessTemplates
DIAMOND SPONSORS:
More info on our Sponsors: 599cd.com/DiamondSponsors
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
FREE Access Beginner Level 1: 599cd.com/Free1
How to Use Access in 30 Minutes: 599cd.com/30Minutes
$1 Access Level 2: 599cd.com/1Dollar
Donate to my Tip Jar: 599cd.com/TipJar
Merch Store! Get your swag here: 599cd.com/Merch
Get on my Mailing List: 599cd.com/YTML
Contact Me: 599cd.com/Contact
TechHelp: 599cd.com/TechHelp
Consulting Help: 599cd.com/DevNet
Twitter: twitter.com/LearningAccess
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Access
products.office.com/en-us/access
microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/access
KEYWORDS:
TechHelp, Access 2016, Access 2019, Access 2021, Access 2024, Access 365, Microsoft Access, MS Access, MS Access Tutorial, #msaccess, #microsoftaccess, #help, #howto, #tutorial, #learn, #lesson, #training, #database, Access class modules, standard modules vs class modules, VBA custom objects, VBA properties and methods, Property Get Let Set, VBA object instantiation, encapsulation, Class_Initialize, Class_Terminate, employee class module, VBA memory leaks
QUESTIONS:
Please feel free to post your questions or comments below. Thanks.
Live long, and prosper.
