Displaying lookup columns as string, not numerics

[TChilton]

Hi,
I am having issues with my lookup tables. When I display the data in an Excel table, the results in the lookup fields appear as the numeric codes rather than in string. We wish to display the actual string data rather than the numeric codes; how can I change this? We are using Access 2000.

Thanks,
Tonya

PS - I have created the lookups in 2 different ways, so the Row Source Type of the lookups include both Value Lists and Table/Query.

[MMcCarthy]

You have posted this in the Articles section.

I am moving it to the Access forum.

ADMIN

[TChilton]

Apologies - thanks for moving this.
Tonya

[NeoPa]

Hi,
I am having issues with my lookup tables. When I display the data in an Excel table, the results in the lookup fields appear as the numeric codes rather than in string. We wish to display the actual string data rather than the numeric codes; how can I change this? We are using Access 2000.

Thanks,
Tonya

PS - I have created the lookups in 2 different ways, so the Row Source Type of the lookups include both Value Lists and Table/Query.

Tonya,
You may want to try to explain this a little more clearly.
There's no indication what this all relates to. I presume you're working in a form but that's about as far as I can get.

[TChilton]

Tonya,
You may want to try to explain this a little more clearly.
There's no indication what this all relates to. I presume you're working in a form but that's about as far as I can get.

Yup - I created a form into which I've entered data. But when I view the data i've entered in the Lookup Fields in an Excel file, it appears as the numeric codes, rather than the text data (the text used to ID options in the dropdowns of the Lookup fields). Does that help? I'm interested in knowing how to display the data in an Excel file as string rather than as code.

[NeoPa]

Perhaps you could start by explaining how the data gets into the Excel file.
Giving the MetaData for the table the data is stored in within the database would also be required information.
Here is an example of how to post table MetaData :
Table Name=tblStudent

Field; Type; IndexInfo
StudentID; AutoNumber; PK
Family; String; FK
Name; String
University; String; FK
Mark; Numeric
LastAttendance; Date/Time

[TChilton]

I export the Access table as an Excel file to view as Excel file.
As I mentioned, the Lookup table data are in both Table/Query and Field List form (i.e., Metadata for Field #1 are: Transmitter, Text, Table/Query,
and for Field #2:Activity, Text, Field List)
How's that?

[NeoPa]

Tonya,
There are a number of issues involved here. Excel is particularly difficult when it guesses for you what it thinks you want. For me to determine what Excel is thinking I will need some accurate answers to questions and for you to follow my instructions when I ask you.
It would all be very easy if I were working directly on your database but that isn't how this works. I need a proper set of MetaData for your table. I don't (yet) need any info on your form, but I may well request later, that you post all the code behind your form.
The most important thing I need to know first is the accurate MetaData, from which point I hope to be able to make some progress together.

*edit* If you feel that there are things you don't understand or cannot do then feel free to ask about them. We can generally help there too, if only we know it's required.

[TChilton]

Tonya,
There are a number of issues involved here. Excel is particularly difficult when it guesses for you what it thinks you want. For me to determine what Excel is thinking I will need some accurate answers to questions and for you to follow my instructions when I ask you.
It would all be very easy if I were working directly on your database but that isn't how this works. I need a proper set of MetaData for your table. I don't (yet) need any info on your form, but I may well request later, that you post all the code behind your form.
The most important thing I need to know first is the accurate MetaData, from which point I hope to be able to make some progress together.

*edit* If you feel that there are things you don't understand or cannot do then feel free to ask about them. We can generally help there too, if only we know it's required.

So are you insinuating that i haven't followed your instructions when you've asked me? You might want to reconsider your attitude... I guess that I (misunderstood) that your job was to help me, not assume you're helping me. Unlike you, I DO believe in solutions. It's unfortunate that a "Forum Leader" cannot help as well as the others have when I've had Access issues in the past. It shows that, for you, "Computers (really) are easier to understand than people". Don't concern yourself - a coworker of mine has already let me know how I can deal with this issue. FYI: It's a 'ghost' issue, one concerning bound columns.

[NeoPa]

So are you insinuating that i haven't followed your instructions when you've asked me? You might want to reconsider your attitude... I guess that I (misunderstood) that your job was to help me, not assume you're helping me. Unlike you, I DO believe in solutions. It's unfortunate that a "Forum Leader" cannot help as well as the others have when I've had Access issues in the past. It shows that, for you, "Computers (really) are easier to understand than people". Don't concern yourself - a coworker of mine has already let me know how I can deal with this issue. FYI: It's a 'ghost' issue, one concerning bound columns.

Perhaps I should start by explaining that ALL the moderators and Experts on this site offer their help on a purely voluntary basis.
I was indeed implying that my requests had not been followed. I thought I'd explained quite clearly that (and indeed why) I needed information from you before I could help you. Your response was (again) devoid of the necessary information.
You certainly did misunderstand my 'Job'.
You'll be happy to hear that I will follow your last advice with alacrity (to whit 'Not concern myself').

In conclusion, I'd like to quote a colleague of mine who expressed my understanding of your comments so well :

Complaining about the quality of free help from experts who donate their time to strangers. Some people are clueless.

[TChilton]

Perhaps I should start by explaining that ALL the moderators and Experts on this site offer their help on a purely voluntary basis.
I was indeed implying that my requests had not been followed. I thought I'd explained quite clearly that (and indeed why) I needed information from you before I could help you. Your response was (again) devoid of the necessary information.
You certainly did misunderstand my 'Job'.
You'll be happy to hear that I will follow your last advice with alacrity (to whit 'Not concern myself').

In conclusion, I'd like to quote a colleague of mine who expressed my understanding of your comments so well :

Indeed, some folks are clueless, YOU would know from PERSONAL experience. Alas, stick to your day job and away from humans.

[MMcCarthy]

Alright that is enough. Offensive or abusive behavior towards the experts who volunteer their time on this site is not tolerated. If you have a legitimate complaint then please send me a PM.

I will not tolerate any repeat of this behavior.

ADMIN

[TChilton]

Alright that is enough. Offensive or abusive behavior towards the experts who volunteer their time on this site is not tolerated. If you have a legitimate complaint then please send me a PM.

I will not tolerate any repeat of this behavior.

ADMIN

Hi Admin,
I would suggest that your "expert" is not a "professional", or he would have handled his impatience differently - that is unfortunate. For example, for NeoPa to suggest that he would need, " some accurate answers and for (me) to follow (his) directions when (he) asks (me)" is arrogant and not helpful. No need to be a jerk about what he requires. A better method would have been to politely ask for exactly what he wanted with an example from the beginning rather than lose patience over indecipherable instructions. It's telling to me that a colleague of NeoPa's seemed to understand my comments - you've obviously dealt with similar issues before and maybe that should be considered in the future.

[MMcCarthy]

Hi Admin,
I would suggest that your "expert" is not a "professional", or he would have handled his impatience differently - that is unfortunate. For example, for NeoPa to suggest that he would need, " some accurate answers and for (me) to follow (his) directions when (he) asks (me)" is arrogant and not helpful. No need to be a jerk about what he requires. A better method would have been to politely ask for exactly what he wanted with an example from the beginning rather than lose patience over indecipherable instructions. It's telling to me that a colleague of NeoPa's seemed to understand my comments - you've obviously dealt with similar issues before and maybe that should be considered in the future.

If you would like me to address your complaint them please send me a PM. I am not prepared to address it in the technical forum.

ADMIN