Auto fill a name

[nejenkins]

I have a table of basic information.
I have a related table linked by a unique number.
When I create a field in the related table, I start by inserting the unique number. Can i then ask it to autoinsert the persons name (a field in the primary table) automatically in a field?

[Gina Maylone]

Are you using a form to add data?

[nejenkins]

sometimes but not always. i presume it matters

[rpeare]

if you are talking about storing the information in two different tables, don't.

For instance if you have the tables

tblCustomer
C_ID  C_Name ---> other customer fields
1     Acme Explosives
2     Acme Rockets

tblOrders
O_ID  C_ID  O_Date ---> other order fields
1     1     1/1/2016

You do not want to store the customer name on the orders field, you would just be storing extraneous data for no added benefit. You can perform the lookup on a form either by using a combo box (the preferred and easier method) or using a lookup query. Assuming you have your primary keys set up correctly it's possible for you to put in a customer number and have the customer name populated in another field.

[nejenkins]

Correct. I dont need it to be stored in both tables/forms but when I enter the number into the related table/form Id like the name to come up both as a safety check that Ive entered the correct number but so as an identifier to me when i browse the table/form

can you explain how to add a 'combo box' to the form

n

if you are talking about storing the information in two different tables, don't.

For instance if you have the tables

tblCustomer
C_ID  C_Name ---> other customer fields
1     Acme Explosives
2     Acme Rockets

tblOrders
O_ID  C_ID  O_Date ---> other order fields
1     1     1/1/2016

You do not want to store the customer name on the orders field, you would just be storing extraneous data for no added benefit. You can perform the lookup on a form either by using a combo box (the preferred and easier method) or using a lookup query. Assuming you have your primary keys set up correctly it's possible for you to put in a customer number and have the customer name populated in another field.

[rpeare]

If you already have a text box on your form, just right click on it, you should get a right click context menu. In that option list you should be able to 'change to..' a combo box. Then just use the properties window to change the column widths to 0,1 and make the query driving the combo box look up the primary key field and the description field of your customers (or whatever it is). If you do it properly you should be able to choose your customer by name, rather than number if that's your preferred way.

[nejenkins]

it is asking me to delete the relationship between the tables to allow the edit - is this safe? can i just reinstate the relationship afterwards?

[rpeare]

you do not need relationships for your form to work, in fact, defined relationships often limit what you can do rather than enhance what you can do, I don't ever set up relationships in my databases.