Problem with Report Design: Access 2007

[julietbrown]

Either I or Access is mad! I have a table called "MAILING_TA BLE" which is filled from code to create a mailing list of names and addresses. The code works fine, and after it runs the table contains exactly what it should. This table is not related to any other table in the database. (I.e., I haven't created a relationship in the 'Relationships' window.)

When I try to base a report on this table, and try, for instance to add the field "FamilyName " to the report, I get into a strange dialogue asking me how I want to "relate" FamilyName to the field of the same name in the "CONTACTS" table. The answer is, at this point, I DON'T want to ... but that is not an option. If I simply change the name of the field to, eg., FamName all becomes well. But since when could you not use the same field name in more than one table? (No, FamilyName is not even the key to any table in the database!) It also seems arbitrary ... It doesn't ask me about the field Address1, which appears in two other tables ... and sometimes asks me about a field in a back up copy of a table without asking about the original at all. I'm stumped!!

I note that the Report Wizard doesn't seem to have this problem, but I don't like using it at all: it has far too many ideas of its own!

(Luckily there's no code I need to show you [yet!], because I can't remember the start and end code tags for this website and I can't find the area of the site that originally told me about how to indicate start and end of code in my questions. Can you remind me or tell me how to find it, please?)

[Megalog]

Strange behavior.. I've never seen that happen before. I wonder if it has anything to do with the AutoCorrect Options (which I always turn off), under the Current Database options. Just a wild guess though.

As far as posting code, if you use the Advanced editor there's a '#' button for inserting the CODE tags.

[MMcCarthy]

Check out what is in the Record Source property of the form. Also looking in the grouping options and make sure you haven't anything in there.

[MMcCarthy]

(Luckily there's no code I need to show you [yet!], because I can't remember the start and end code tags for this website and I can't find the area of the site that originally told me about how to indicate start and end of code in my questions. Can you remind me or tell me how to find it, please?)

Check it out here...
How to ask a question

[julietbrown]

Well, it's very odd! I just sneaked around it. If, when designing a report, you highlight and drag a field from the field list to the report whatever/whoever it is behind the scenes "doesn't notice" and lets you do it. If, however, you right click on a highlighted field and choose "Add field to report" (which is what I was doing before) whatever it is steps in and starts asking you to relate it to ... well, something of its own choosing!! So ... problem solved, but not very satisfactorily, as it is nice to understand what's going on.

Thanks for your help about the tags. I won't forget.

[Megalog]

I just tried this with a small sample db and you're right, it does try to establish a relationship. Not sure why it's doing this! None of the db options I'm playing with seem to change this behavior either. I've always dragged fields over to my forms & reports, so have never noticed this.

[MMcCarthy]

I've always either used the wizard as a base and / or dragged from field list so never noticed it either. Typical of the stupid additions in 2007 though. That version does my head in trying to anticipate what I want and usually getting it wrong.

[julietbrown]

Thank you! It's so nice to get a bit of sympathy and agreement when my first thoughts were that I must being a complete prat! I agree that Access 2003 seemed a lot more 'obedient'. (I love this website.)

[nico5038]

Can you check in the "Access Options" (Press the Round Office button and select "Access options" button bottom right) the section "Object Designers" and see or the Autoindex on Import/Create is selected and holds family or name as one of the strings ?

Nic;o)

[julietbrown]

Um ...! I have checked and it says "ID;key;code;nu m", which is a little opaque! But I conclude there really is something crazy in Access, as now I've stopped using 'right-click, add field ...' and started drag-and-dropping I've had no further problems.

BUT I do have a big, big (being dim-thick) problem finding my way around this site. I managed to find my way here this morning only because I found a message in my inbox. I can't seem to find the Qs I've asked unless I actually bookmark the page: the site map gives me vertigo! Is there a page somewhere that would help? It's such a fantastic site with all these helpful people, I'd like to be able to make the most of it. Any suggestions?

[MMcCarthy]

Hi Juliet

If you click on the subscriptions link at the top of the page it should show you a list of all the threads you are involved in. Alternatively click on your name to bring you to your profile page. Then if you click on the statistics link you will see quick links to all the posts and threads you have made.

Mary

[julietbrown]

Thanks so much, Mary