Before working on coding (and forms), it is prudent to review and ensure your database is designed effeciently. This process is called "normalization". If your database is designed well, the retrieval of information should be fairly simple. If the design is poor, then retrieving information can be very tough.
A common approach by some new to relational databases is to use what I call a "spreadsheet mentality". Whereas the idea and the power of a database is to avoid redundency.
Please consider the following reference sites...
Fundamentals of Relational Database Design
Download document
Read on-line (HTML)
Micro$oft's answer...
283878 - Description of the database normalization basics
304467 - ACC2000 Defining Relationships Between Tables in a Microsoft Access Database
...Moving on
When working with forms and such, it is easier to assist those looking for assistance when provided with enough information.
A key tool with forms is to use the "Properties" window. Open your form in design mode, and then from the menu, select "View" -> "Properties". The "Properties" window will have five tabs -- format, data, events, other and all. You can look at the properties for the form by selecting the top left square on the form where the verticle and horizontal rulers meet.
Some Important form properties...
- RecordSource (data tab)
- various Events, OnCurrent, BeforeUpdate, AfterUpdate, OnLoad, OnOpen...
You can select controls on the form such as text, combo and list boxes. Some important control properties...
-
Name (other) - you can change the name but do so BEFORE creating any code
- ControlSource (data)
- RowSource and BoundColumn for combo boxes (data)
- Visible (format)
- ColumnCount and ColumnWidths for combo boxes (format)
- various Events - AfterUpdate, OnDoubleClick, OnNotInList
Knowing the
Name is very important since any coding must reference the correct controls.
Richard