Entering Data for New Records

[Nhmiller]

When I start to type the data for a new record, I would like a dropdown box to
open next to it from which I can choose the data from a previously entered
record that starts with the same letter. This is the way my previous database,
Approach, worked. I have tried using the form design toolbox wizard for this
but have had no success. I perused the Help menus and found some deficient
instructions on List, Combo and Dropdown. The dropdown icon is not in the
toolbox, as the Help says it should be. Please give me step by step
instructions, using the wizard if possible -- I realize some of you go right to
Basic and enter your instructions there, but I would prefer to employ the
user-friendly route. Thanks.

Neil
Cat Paintings At Carol Wilson Gallery
http://www.carolwilsongallery.com

[Paul]

Ok Neil, last try:

1. Create a combo box
2. Open its properties
3. Set Rowsource type: Table/Query
4. Click the Rowsource line, then press the ... (three dots)
5. Insert the Table or Query you use as the source of your form where this
combo box exists
6. Insert the field that you want to be the source of your combo box (sort
it if you want)
7. Double-click the grey area next to your table above the QBE (query by
example) Grid.
8. Choose UNIQUE VALUES = YES
9. Close the builder (dont click the save icon or save the builder..just
close it)
10. Set your column width to 2" and row width to 2"
11. Set Limit to List = YES
12. Click the events tab. On the OnEnter event...click the ... (3 dots) and
choose code builder
12. enter the code: [whateveryourcom boboxnameis].requery

It should work now.

I really hope this helps!!!!!!!!!! !!!
let me know

Paul
=============== =============== ======

"Nhmiller" <nh******@aol.c omnojunk> wrote in message
news:20******** *************** ****@mb-m13.aol.com...

The Unique Properties of this contol are found when you use the "Builder"

to
the right of the record source. Just go there and double-click the grey
area above the GBE and you will see the properties...ju st select Unique

Is the "Builder" the triangle? What is GBE? Thanks.
Also, thanks for your offer to do the operation for me, but I just need
the
proper directions. Something's missing from the directions you gave me,
because
I am following them, but the choices you say are supposed to be there are
not.
Let's not close off this thread. I hope if you'll answer the above
questions,
I'll find what I'm looking for.

Neil
Cat Paintings At Carol Wilson Gallery
http://www.carolwilsongallery.com

[Nhmiller]

>1. Create a combo box

2. Open its properties
3. Set Rowsource type: Table/Query
4. Click the Rowsource line, then press the ... (three dots)
5. Insert the Table or Query you use as the source of your form where this
combo box exists
6. Insert the field that you want to be the source of your combo box (sort
it if you want)
7. Double-click the grey area next to your table above the QBE (query by
example) Grid.
8. Choose UNIQUE VALUES = YES
9. Close the builder (dont click the save icon or save the builder..just
close it)
10. Set your column width to 2" and row width to 2"
11. Set Limit to List = YES
12. Click the events tab. On the OnEnter event...click the ... (3 dots) and
choose code builder
12. enter the code: [whateveryourcom boboxnameis].requery

Yes, it worked!

Limit To List should be set to No if I want to add new values. If it is set to
Yes, then the requery statement is not necessary, as Limit To List Yes will not
allow new values.

I assume I must use this procedure for each combo box -- that I cannot select
them all and set the various items universally -- correct me if I'm wrong. I
imagine there are SQL statements that can do this. Since I finally know now how
to get to the Unique Value settings, I should be able to get databases to work
with what I consider standard time saving features. Radio buttons are next (is
that what Access calls them?). I'll post if there are further difficulties!! --
(I bet you can't wait.)

Paul, you are aware obviously, that Access (and I suspect all of Office) is
very strange software. It is NOT user-friendly, but relies on a technical
approach, which is good for flexibility. But, I don't understand why Microsoft
doesn't also build in commands to do the typical things like this
automatically. For instance, duplicating a record is a handy button to have,
but there is none (I know what you're going to say -- make a macro and assign a
shortcut).

It's as though the software engineers made the applications so complex and
feature laden that when the documentation had to be done, there was no way to
cover every situation a user may want to do, so only general technical help
instructions are given. Instructions for common situations, like the combo box,
do not exist, because the number of permutations of what someone could do with
it are huge. OK, it works anyway without setting Unique Values to Yes -- maybe
only a perfectionist like me wants a proper list.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the instructions you gave me are not in the Help
menus. If I enter Unique Values in the Help window, there is a general
statement about it, but, for instance, no instruction about double clicking the
huge gray area to get to the properties -- how would anyone know to do that?!!

I did find instructions for requery, but there is no way I would have known to
look for that if I had not already learned it from you.

I can only hope that the books I will be perusing will have the instructions I
need in the future. I am curious as to how you learned the instructions you
gave me -- for example, point me to any documentation that mentions the double
clicking to get to the properties.

Thanks for your help.

Neil
Cat Paintings At Carol Wilson Gallery
http://www.carolwilsongallery.com

[Paul]

> Limit To List should be set to No if I want to add new values. If it is

set to
Yes, then the requery statement is not necessary, as Limit To List Yes
will not
allow new values.
Sorry about that one...yes, you are correct. (just and oversight).
I assume I must use this procedure for each combo box -- that I cannot
select
them all and set the various items universally -- correct me if I'm wrong.
I
imagine there are SQL statements that can do this. Since I finally know
now how
to get to the Unique Value settings, I should be able to get databases to
work
with what I consider standard time saving features. Radio buttons are next
(is
that what Access calls them?). I'll post if there are further
difficulties!! --
(I bet you can't wait.)
You can select multiple fields and apply properties all at one time. If you
select multiple fields and open the Properties window you will seee the
words Multiple Selected at the top of the window. Only common properties
between the selected fields will be available...use your shift key to select
multiple.
Paul, you are aware obviously, that Access (and I suspect all of Office)
is
very strange software. It is NOT user-friendly, but relies on a technical
approach, which is good for flexibility. But, I don't understand why
Microsoft
doesn't also build in commands to do the typical things like this
automatically. For instance, duplicating a record is a handy button to
have,
but there is none (I know what you're going to say -- make a macro and
assign a
shortcut).
There is one...just click the Command Button icon on the Toolbox and pick
the Records Category and choose Duplicate Record from the right side.
It's as though the software engineers made the applications so complex and
feature laden that when the documentation had to be done, there was no way
to
cover every situation a user may want to do, so only general technical
help
instructions are given. Instructions for common situations, like the combo
box,
do not exist, because the number of permutations of what someone could do
with
it are huge. OK, it works anyway without setting Unique Values to Yes --
maybe
only a perfectionist like me wants a proper list.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the instructions you gave me are not in the
Help
menus. If I enter Unique Values in the Help window, there is a general
statement about it, but, for instance, no instruction about double
clicking the
huge gray area to get to the properties -- how would anyone know to do
that?!!
The "Grey" area is above the QBE. It is all documented under the Query
Properties Help or QBE Help. Here is the thing...If you are unfamilliar
with these things you should really pick up and basic intro book to using
Access or take an introduction Access course. This kind of stuff should be
basic knowledge...tha ts the problem if you dive right in without educating
yourself on the basics of the application. I have instructed heavy users of
Excel, who know how to do what they need to do, but have no idea of what the
program is capable of, because they never took the time to learn the basics.
You need a good foundation for any program.
I did find instructions for requery, but there is no way I would have
known to
look for that if I had not already learned it from you.
Thats why you should purchase at least 1 intro books! I own 5 intro books
and 3 advanced books just for access alone.
I can only hope that the books I will be perusing will have the
instructions I
need in the future. I am curious as to how you learned the instructions
you
gave me -- for example, point me to any documentation that mentions the
double
clicking to get to the properties.
Read books, newsgroup posts (here and google), look at examples of other
sample databases and reverse engineer them...I am completely self-taught,
but it has taken a while. I also taught for a training company..and picked
up a few things there from the materials I was using, plus the questions my
students had.

Thanks for your help.

Welcome.