Complex form using multiple tables

[Ewin]

I'm a beginner user of MS Access, and I am having a problem building a
database with a complex form that enters to several tables.



I did not use subforms because I am attempting to emulate the hard copy
of the form that was given to me by my supervisor. I don't know if that
makes my problem impossible or not...



Basically, there are six tables, and the blanks on the form that apply
to two of them will not let me fill in any data or select from my
combo boxes.



I've searched this website, my reference books, and the web at length
and I can't find a basic explanation of what is going on... nor is my
vocabulary really up to the task of doing this kind of research. I
don't KNOW anything, and I have a deadline staring me in the face... :(



Please assist, thanks in advance.



- Ewin


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[TC]

Re: Complex form using multiple tables

Answers in-line.


"Ewin" <member44642@db forums.com> wrote in message
news:3494219.10 66409918@dbforu ms.com...

(snipped)

[color=blue]
> I'm a beginner user of MS Access, and I am having a problem building a
> database with a complex form that enters to several tables.[/color]

Access forms are either "bound", or "unbound". Bound forms automatically let
you add, edit, delete and find records. You need not write any code for
that. However, a bound form can only be based on a *single table or query*.
You can not base different parts of a bound form, on different tables &
queries!

Conversely, in an *unbound* form, you can make it do about whatever you
want. This includes, basing different parts of the form on different tables
or queries. However, Access does *not* provide any default
add/edit/delete/find functionality for an unbound form. You will have to
write all of that, yourself. With respect, you clearly do not have the level
of knowledge required to write an unbound form, at present.

[color=blue]
> I don't KNOW anything, and I have a deadline staring me in the face... :([/color]

That is not a good place to be. All that you can really do, is get some
extra time from the boss, & get a good book on learning Microsoft Access.
It's not something that you will learn in 5 minutes. IMO, it will probably
take you at least *4-6 weeks* further solid work to be able to write the
form that you want. This is partly because you will need to learn about data
modelling & normalization - significant topics in their own right.

HTH,
TC

[Ewin]

Re: Complex form using multiple tables


A good friend (and database guru) helped me with my problem, and we
determined that it was a simple conceptual problem... and if I could
use the subforms I so dreaded and make them invisible, that would solve
my troubles. We worked up an example at home over the weekend, and got
it to work.



Now I'm attempting to replicate it at work. Basic structure: since the
boss wants a user interface like the worksheet, I have a Worksheet table
with a RecordID primary key that holds the following: BuyerContactID,
BuyerInterviewI D, BrokerID, and a few other links to tables containing
the actual information for each record. BuyerContact, BuyerInterview,
etc. are subforms in the main form.



Now I'm getting an error message when I attempt to add something to my
subform... waiting to hear from the friend.



Thank you for the advice, though.


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