Display all records in a form used to enter records

[Zipster1967]

I have a simple form that just allows the input of new categories in my categories table. I would like a list of all the current records that have already been entered displayed as a list below the form sorted alphabetically so the user can see what categories have already been entered. I want the list to update every time a new record is added without having to leave the form. Is this even possible?

[CJ_London]

anything is possible, but your description is not clear - can you provide an example of what you mean

[Zipster1967]

My database is for a home shopping list and the categories table will hold different food categories like Fruits, Vegetables, Frozen, Meats, Pork, Beef, Canned, etc. I would like the form to have a place to input the categories at the top and as soon as a category was inputted in the top and the return key was hit the category would appear in a list at the bottom (preferably in alphabetical order) I hope that explains what I am looking for more clearly.

[June7]

A multi-column combobox could show all category items.

Adding a record to 'categories' table 'on-the-fly' during data entry requires VBA code. This is what the combobox/listbox NotInList event is for. http://www.fontstuff.com/access/acctut20.htm

[Zipster1967]

Okay. I added the comboBox control to the form and set the RowSource property to the following
=(SELECT DISTINCT Categories.Category FROM Categories WHERE Categories.Category Is Not Null ORDER BY Categories.Category;)
But when I open the form it does not display any entries not even the ones already in the table. Did I miss something? My table name is Categories and the field name is Category. The table contains just 2 fields
ID Autonum integer
Category Short Text

[June7]

Do not use = ( ) .

Why the filter criteria? Why would any record in this table have Category Null? Set it as required and never can be Null.

[Zipster1967]

If I remove the =() I get the error message "The syntax of the subquery in this expression is incorrect. Check the subquery's syntax and enclose in parentheses."

[June7]

That is odd. RowSource property does not require = ( ) characters. I don't know why you get this. I see nothing wrong with the SQL and there is no subquery.

However, since Category should be unique in the Categories table, DISTINCT should not be needed.

SELECT Category FROM Categories ORDER BY Category;

[CJ_London]

just a thought - your detail says you are using 2003 - is that correct? i.e. you are not developing a web app in 2013?