Questions about data entry, populating forms, totals query

[bgephart]

I am trying to write a database for circulation records of a small school library. I am trying to create a form where the students of each class are listed (as they visit the library by class) in a continuous form, but that provides new checkout records for each student. It seems that my choices are to either list all information (students and their current checkout records), or no information at all when "Data Entry" is yes. If I have "yes" for Data Entry, I can't see the students names or any information associated with them. The student information comes from one table, "People", and the Checkout information from the "Checkout" table. I have a query that combines the relevent fields for the form, but is there a way to see a list of students with blank records to fill in for their checkouts?

In addition, I'd like to include information for each student that is taken from a separate totals query that totals their current checkouts and overdue books. Ideally, I'd like to have that information available for each student on this form. However, I have been unable to work that information into the query for this form, as it makes the recordset uneditable. I've tried adding text box controls to the form and using Dlookup to extract that information from the totals query, but so far have not gotten anything to work. At this point, I don't know how much of my problems are syntax and how much relate to the nature of the totals query.

Does anyone have any ideas for me? I'll be to the first to admit I'm not an expert. It's been several years since I worked with Access at this level. Some of it is coming back, but other parts are a bit mind-boggling at the moment.

THanks for your help.

[June7]

If you want a 'list' of students presented and you fill in checkout info, this requires first creating 'blank' records in table. Not an easy task to automate, especially for a beginner.

You will need to use form/subform arrangement to view the 'totals' data or use a listbox to display 'totals'.

Have you explored the Lending Library template from Microsoft?

[bgephart]

Thanks. Just checked it out, and it looks interesting and could be helpful. Unfortunately, I need something that is compatible with Access 2003, and apparently that isn't. I don't suppose there's anything older around anywhere?

I might try to take some ideas, but I don't really have enough knowledge to know what parts of that template are making it incompatible with 2003.

[June7]

I can't find an mdb version, just a lot threads asking for the conversion. However, if you can view the db in 2007 you can certainly copy the design.

Primary resasons for incompatibility are Attachment type field and embedded macros. However, after removing Attachment fields and converting macros to VBA, still can't SaveAs mdb as a whole. I was able to create a new accdb and import all but tables and save that as an mdb. So then just build the tables from scratch. there are only 4 of them.

Shame on db developer - has spaces in names!