No idea where to start

[makuk]

Firstly, I want to apologise if this is the wrong forum, this is all way to heavy for me, so many forums !

My question is this, I have a database of approximately 50,000 records that has 6 bits of info per record, they are:

Airline, Aircraft, Reg, notes, ref, photo

These records are being added to all the time, what I would like to be able to do is have some sort of way of using access with a switchboard at the front where I click a button to add a record and another one to search by airline, ref etc etc.

This is probably really easy to do but I just cant work out how to do this, i have tried using the access help files but they just confuse me, I have tried downloading stuff but I cant work out how to change the data

I have the data in a access database but cant work out how to get a nice front end to add and search and stuff like that.

COuld anyone help please.

Thank you.

 

[randysmid]

Hi,
I would suggest not using Switchboard because it is very cumbersome to use. Instead, simply create a new form that is not bound to any table or query. This will become your menu. Add command buttons and labels for the various forms and reports you want to give to the user. The clicked event for each button will open the form or report. Here is an example of the code needed to open a form:
dim stDocName as String
stDocName = "Airline Maintenance"
dim stLinkCriteria as String

DoCmd.OpenForm stDocName, , , stLinkCriteria

HTH,
Randy Smith
California Teachers Association

 

[makuk]

Hi

Thank you for such a prompt reply, I think access is way above me, when you put this:

dim stDocName as String
stDocName = "Airline Maintenance"
dim stLinkCriteria as String

DoCmd.OpenForm stDocName, , , stLinkCriteria

That was me done, I have absolutley no idea at all what this means, I am sorry for being so thick, this was something I am doing - or was doing! for my father, I think I will have to tell him to forget it.

Am I reall that thick !

Regards

Mark.

 

[GDGarth]

Don't give up so easily!

Have you already created reports or queries? If not, you should do that first (assuming you already have some data).

Access has "Wizards" to create forms, queries, and reports. Just choose "New", "Report (or Form or Query, as needed) Wizard". It will create a basic report for you. The code samples above were probably created by a Wizard. Even if you need to customize it, you can usually start with the Wizard's code, then modify it.

If you need to filter records, create a query, then add the criteria in Design View (in the criteria field of your query, put something like "[Enter Date] to get prompted for a parameter.

If you're really stuck, post an email address and some sample data, and I'll send you a couple of examples.

 

[ElSteveO]

The above replies were on mark. But to make it a little easier, take an unbound form, make sure that in the tool bar in design view, that the wizard wand button is pushed in, then draw a button onto the form. Follow the prompts to open the report that you want. This is much easier to use than the switchboard, and the wizards will do all the work - no coding necessary.
If you want, email me your database and I'll get you started. Stevenator65@yahoo.com
ElSteveO