How to update table if linked ot text file

[cory_jackson]

How does one link to test files in such a way that when used in a query with an internal table I can update data in that table?



Example: Say I have an ever-changing list of clients in an text file with a client ID (CID) and name which I link to in order to look up the clients name. I also have a table in the Db which has orders that has, among other fields a foreign key for CID. Now if I create a query for current order and try to link to the data in the text file my query and forms based on it are not updatable.

Thanks!

[June7]

Don't link by query join.

Build a form/subform arrangement.

[cory_jackson]

How's that?

[June7]

If I understand the data structure correctly:

The linked text file is a list of clients, a unique record for each client ID.

The table is orders with ClientID as a foreign key.

Have main form bound to linked text file. Have a subform that is bound to the orders table. Use the subform container control Master/Child link properties to set link on ClientID. As you move through records on main form the subform records will synchronize. You can add/edit orders in the subform.

[cory_jackson]

That sounds very cumbersome. And I need to create derived fields and such. It just seems incredible that linking to text files would effectively freeze anything they touch. I appreciate that Access knows it can’t modify any of those records in the text files but it seems I should be able to tell it that the links are read only and not to worry about it.

[June7]

Form/subform is a commonly used structure of database interface. Especially with one-to-many (your client/order data) and many-to-many relationships. Even when linked data source is not involved.

[cory_jackson]

Maybe I'm missing something. Could I have what appears as a single form for the user with fields from both?

[June7]

The form/subform arrangement could appear as a single form to the user. Look at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ac...010098674.aspx

By 'derived' fields you mean calculations?