.SetFocus from module VBA -

i'm trying set focus in form after update. when within forms class module have no problem. however, need in few forms i'm trying write in module. problem can't .setfocus work unless hardcode form name within class module. whno name of control i'm trying set focus.

i have attempted number of options , none seem work.

here sub. works wonderfully except .setfocus procedure.

sub validatewhno()  dim enteredwhno integer dim actform string dim dewhno variant msg integer dim ctrlwhno control  enteredwhno = screen.activecontrol.value actform = screen.activeform.name set ctrlwhno = [forms]![frmenterbookdata]![whno] dewhno = dlookup("[whno]", "tbldataentry", "[whno] = " & enteredwhno)  if enteredwhno = dewhno     msg = msgbox("you have entered " & enteredwhno & " whno. next number " & dmax("[whno]", "tbldataentry") + 1 & ", use this?", 4 + 64, "already used whno!")     if msg = 6         screen.activecontrol.value = dmax("[whno]", "tbldataentry") + 1     else         screen.activecontrol.value = null         ctrlwhno.setfocus 'code wont run     end if end if  end sub 

i've tried number of other methods set focus, such as: forms(actform).whno.setfocus, forms(actform).controls(whno).setfocus, screen.activecontrol.setfocus

the current result if no selected in msgbox, value cleared, focus moves next control.

thanks in advanced may offered.

does following make difference?

sub validatewhno(frm access.form)      dim enteredwhno integer     dim actform string     dim dewhno variant     msg integer      enteredwhno = frm.activecontrol.value     actform = frm.name     dewhno = dlookup("[whno]", "tbldataentry", "[whno] = " & enteredwhno)      if enteredwhno = dewhno         msg = msgbox("you have entered " & enteredwhno & " whno. next number " & dmax("[whno]", "tbldataentry") + 1 & ", use this?", 4 + 64, "already used whno!")         if msg = 6             frm.activecontrol.value = dmax("[whno]", "tbldataentry") + 1         else             frm.activecontrol.value = null             frm![whno].setfocus         end if     end if  end sub 

and call each form be:

vaidatewhno me 

instead of using relative reference form (screen.activeform), code passes form reference through directly , uses reference parent of .setfocus method.