Setting a variable default value?

[KEV999]

Would like any suggestions please on how to achieve this - I'm using MS Access 2003.

At present for a simple data entry situation using a form, the user entering the data enters their intials into a field on every record to enable us to identify who made that entry.

Is there a way the user can enter their name just once at the beginning of the session and for it to then be automatically entered in each record they add until the database is next closed?

I suppose it's like setting a variable default field somehow....?

[missinglinq]

In your form, you can use the AfterUpdate event of the control holding your data to set the DefaultValue for the field. From that time forward, until you either manually change the data or close your form, the data will be entered automatically in each new record. The syntax varies slightly, depending on the datatype of the data. For your use at this time you'd want to use the Text version, but I'll give you all versions for future reference:

For Text fields

Private Sub YourTextControlName_AfterUpdate()
If Not IsNull(Me.YourTextControlName.Value) Then
  YourTextControlName.DefaultValue = """" & Me.YourTextControlName.Value & """"
End If
End Sub

For Date fields

Private Sub YourDateControlName_AfterUpdate()
If Not IsNull(Me.YourDateControlName.Value) Then
  YourDateControlName.DefaultValue ="#" &  Me.YourDateControlName & "#"
End If
End Sub

For Numeric fields

Private Sub YourNumericControlName_AfterUpdate()
If Not IsNull(Me.YourNumericControlName.Value) Then
  YourNumericControlName.DefaultValue = Me.YourNumericControlName.Value
End If
End Sub

Welcome to Bytes!

Linq ;0)>

[KEV999]

Many thanks for your reply.
Unfortunately I'm either very thick or very new (or both!)
Could you clarify how you've used the names in your script?
ie: my table name is Asurvivortable
Form name is Asurvivorformsh ort
The field concerned is locationnow
If you could put it into words of one syllable for me that would be a great help....
Thanks.
Kev

[missinglinq]

Assuming that

LocationNow

is the field you want to "bring forward" and is a text field

Private Sub LocationNow_AfterUpdate()
  If Not IsNull(Me.LocationNow.Value) Then
    LocationNow.DefaultValue = """" & Me.LocationNow.Value & """"
  End If
End Sub

Linq ;0)>

[KEV999]

Many thanks.
It works brilliantly!
Kev