vba - Access SysCmd function not working as expected for some action values -

i've read relevant historical material , not same issue others have had. adding doevents has no effect.

first problem

retval = syscmd(4, "here's update!") clears status bar text , meter, instead of updating text. have tested in sub , in immediate window using ?syscmd(4, "some text").

second problem

more confusing syscmd(3) , syscmd(5) both entirely remove status bar, text , meter. syscmd(3) described in documentation:

when argument 3, progress meter removed status bar.

for syscmd(5) on another page:

when action argument 5, status bar text set previous syscmd() function removed.

contrary these descriptions, entire status bar removed.

i tried testing the suggested sub microsoft:

function statusbar ()      dim retval variant      retval = syscmd(4, "the rain in spain falls ...")      msgbox "press ok when ready finish!"      retval = syscmd(5)   end function 

testing resulted in message box.

everything else works

everything else works fine, far can tell. these work expected:

retval = syscmd(1, "beginning queries...", 10) 'adds status bar  retval = syscmd(2,1) 'moves meter 

adding constant names (i.e. acsyscmdsetstatus) not seem have effect in access 2010 (since access vba, not vbs).

the problem had bad misconception. syscmd method a lot of things , it's little overwhelming.

at bottom of access, have status bar. text on bottom left status bar text. controlled via acsyscmdsetstatus (value of 4) , acsyscmdclearstatus (value of 5).

this text cannot used @ same time status bar progress meter, on bottom right of status bar. has own text.

the misconception above idea status bar text actions change text of status bar progress meter. , don't.

for reference on syscmd action values, see here.