Hi shepkrm,
I've been reading over your and GingerR's posts and have some questions. GingerR makes valid comments but I feel we haven't heard the whole story.
When the submit button is clicked take the record key in the 'submitted' table and write it back to the previous table (of unsubmitted items) in a new column (SubmitKey?) then the next time the record is clicked you can look for a reference in this column and if it finds one then open that record in the submittal table otherwise open a new record. (Just a thought)
However, I think somehow (not described by you yet, please feel free to comment) a user can open a form and begin the process to submit something for approval. Then, if it's complete it can be approved. If, however, it's not complete then the user can go back to that record either to edit or to delete it. Supposedly (because you have not stated it, please feel free to comment), there are a number of fields to be filled out and (supposedly, please feel free to comment) the queries determine if the appropriate fields have been completed and if so they may (possibly, please feel free to comment) return a true or else a false.
Then, you state the use of a second form to view the data entered and if the quieries all return true then a 'Submit' button will be enabled (supposedly, please feel free to comment) for that particular record to be submitted and to (supposedly, please feel free to comment)move to the next step in the process.
You said: "If this is the first time it's clicked, a record would need to be created. If it is a second time (say, the button was clicked and then someone changed their mind), the existing record would need to display", I believe this would be the next (second) step in the approval process? First the idea is documented second it is approved for submittal? and if the person pressing the submit button does so in error then the next time the button is pressed in conenction with this submission, show the record that was created with the first button push. Apparently (please feel free to comment), the pressing of the button does not release it to step three but just indicates that the approving authority has seen it, or does it actually release it? If it does how can pressing the button show the 'existing record' again? Even if the queries say no can it still be released? These are some areas that may need some clarification. We anxiously await your comments!
Lamar