Need help setting a validation rule. Microsoft Access

[jess4444]

I need help setting a validation rule to accept the values 2021 or 2022 or 2023 (in that order) only.

[isladogs]

Easy enough to set the validation rule: Between 2021 And 2023
However, I'm unclear what you mean by 'in that order'
The rule just checks if the entered value is valid or not.

If you really want to show a range of valid entries, you could setup a table level lookup field using a combo with a value list for those years in that order. However, table level lookups are definitely not something I would ever recommend.

[zmbd]

If you really want to show a range of valid entries, you could setup a table level lookup field using a combo with a value list for those years in that order. However, table level lookups are definitely not something I would ever recommend.

Ideally, your users should NEVER work directly with your tables, all data entry should be done thru the user-forms. With that said, I really wouldn't do a table level lookup combo box - can lead to some real issues down the line.

Table level validation is a completely different beast and is something I do quite regularly, using a limit such as isladogs has suggested; provided, that one is sure that there may not be a need in the future to change the table level validation. Would you need to add "2024" at some point?

So the solution Either do this in the query or in the user form.

I've attached a very simple database to illustrate the point.
Normally I would select one of the forms to open on startup; however, I wanted you to be able to see each of the options.
I've put the numbers in the queries and the tbl_years in the order given, however, you can reorder these as needed with with a sort one the tbl_year in the row source or by changing the order in the static list... etc... most flexible either way.