Tab controls are one of the least-used Access form objects, at least as far as the systems I've seen designed by others. I have used them on occasion, and they are very useful, in these specific circumstances:

1) You have a record with many fields, and placing them all on one form would be troublesome, given screen size and resolution differences ,

2) You want to be able to visually segregate your information, so that users can just see what pieces they need to at the time.

For example, you have a long (many fields) record, with personal information, business information, and maybe one or two other "types" of information, that all relate the same.  Now some designers would separate this kind of data in to two or three or more tables, each with a one-to-one relationship, but this is unnecessary. Just use a TAB control on your input and data management forms.

Let's assume we have a table with information about people - we have their 'personal' information, like name, address, phone, and so on. We also have business information, and 'other' information. Here's a sample table illustrating what I mean:

You can see that this information is logically all related to the person - so there's no need to break it into multiple tables. Your actual design may differ, so you'll have to attack each situation somewhat differently, but you should get the picture here.

With a record of this size, it might not be feasible to put all the fields on one form - too much data, not enough room, or a combination of both. In a situation like this, the TAB control is your answer!

What follows are step-by-step instructions for creating and using a TAB control on a form:

Create a NEW FORM, in DESIGN VIEW, based on your table:

Make the form detail area about 6 or so inches wide, and about 4 inches deep. Your needs may vary, so adjust accordingly:

Make sure your form control toolbox is visible, and select the TAB CONTROL sprite:

Place the blank tab control in the middle of your form, and let's take a minute to examine it. Not the selection handles - they are at each corner of the control and middle of each side.

The important thing to visually recognize about a tab control is the difference between selecting the entire tab control, versus  a specific PAGE on the control. Look at the black boxes on the corners and sides of first tab control screen shot  - this is the 'selection' of the entire tab control.  To select a specific PAGE of the control, click the page tab area, and the selection boxes will change, to visually illustrate that you have selected that specific page:

Is is VERY important that you learn to visually recognize the difference between the Tab Control being selected, and a PAGE on the control. If you place a label, text box, or other gadget on the Tab control, it will be visible on ALL THE PAGES of the control! So make sure you select the PAGE if you want to place an object and have it visible only on that page!