Unexpected datatype

[George]

Good day all,

I have a field in my report which displays data in as data type number e.g. 240 , however I am expecting data type string e.g. "George Renee".

This field's data source is a field in a table which attains its data from another table using the Lookup Wizard. The original data is string type, so I am wondering why the data in the report is number.

Can anyone explain this surprise?



Thank you.

[orange]

Most developers will advise you to NOT use Lookups at the table field level.
This is why you shouldn't use them.

It is a "feature" added by M$oft, and only applies to Access.

Use traditional table lookups (search Lookup tables or reference tables).

[accedeholdings]

If we can't use Lookups, then what is the next best option to get the same result?

[George]

Thanks for the advise, but what do I do now that I have used this way extensively?

[orange]

see this for ideas.

The big issue with lookup fields is that you typically select field1, the ID field. Then when you want to display a field, typically a name, all you have is the id. So you have to create a query, with the fields you might display, that includes the original table and (joined) to the table that holds the "linked" field.
Easy enough to do, but something you thought Access was doing for you...

[George]

Thanks anyway

[orange]

See this example