Parameter query using form textbox problem

[classicmds]

I have had a very simple parameter query based on a form working fine until I made a few changes to the design, and now it does not work. I decided to started a whole new database with test forms to strip it back, and it doesn’t work there either. It's been a long time since I worked on this, and I only have very basic Access knowledge, but I'm pretty sure I've got it right based on online info... But am I doing something wrong?! Thanks.

• I have Test Form with an unbound text box named “Last Name”
• I have a Test Table with two fields “Last Name” and “First Name”
• I have a Test Query with the Test Table added. I have added the fields “Last Name” and “First Name” from the Test Table to the query.
• In the criteriia for “Last Name” I have [Forms]![Test Form]![Last Name]
• I have the Test Form open and a last name that is stored in the Test Table typed into the “Last Name” field of the form.
• I run the query. It returns no results. I am expecting it to return the record containing the last name typed into the Test Form, and the query to use this as the criteria.
• If I just type in the last name direct to the query criteria it finds it. So the problem is the query is not using the data in the Test Form as the criteria

[ranman256]

If you are using BOTH text boxes to search then heres the thing:
if you search just one box (last or first) then you cannot use the other in the query.
BEST approach:

make a continuous form that shows ALL records.
the header has the 2 textboxes, txtFirst, txtLast
then put in a button to FILTER the data. It will look at both boxes, then set the filter for 1 or both:

'----------------
sub btnFilter_click()
'----------------
dim sWhere as string 


sWhere = "1=1"
if not IsNUll(txtFirst) then sWhere = sWhere & " and [First]='" & txtFirst & "'"
if not IsNUll(txtLast) then sWhere = sWhere & " and [LAST]='" & txtLast & "'"


If sWhere = "1=1" Then
  Me.FilterOn = False
Else
  Me.Filter = sWhere
  Me.FilterOn = True
End If
end sub

[pbaldy]

Make sure you've hit Tab or Enter after typing the name. If you don't, the value isn't available to the query.