Multivalued field in form

[nicolazilio]

Hello,


I am trying to create a field in an Access form that would allow multiple values to be selected in one field only. Essentially, I would like to set it up as follows

arg1-14	arg3-D4	his7-366	lys1-131	lys3-37	lys4-95
arg1-230					lys4-239

where the user can choose only one value in each column. I know this can be done with multivalue lookup columns but I don't see a way to add that to a form. As an alternative I tried to enter these values in the "Validation Rule" property of a textbox but then it only allows one value to be added to the field.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

Nicola

[rpeare]

don't do it, multi value fields are the worst possible thing you could do to your database. Try to work towards a normalized structure, you will save yourself a LOT of aggravation over time.

[nicolazilio]

I know a lot of people don't like them, and I understand that they may be an issue in complex databases.

That said, my database is a simple list of yeast strains that includes their genotypes and phenotypes. As simple as that. I could create a separate field for each auxotrophic marker but I don't see the point, mostly because they very rare and probably will not have to use these values very often.

[June7]

The first column has arg1-14 and arg1-230. You don't want to allow both of those to be selected? Some values are mutually exclusive?

But user could select every value on the first row?

Combo and list boxes cannot be setup with options presented horizontally.

[rpeare]

I understand your database is simple, but as june has pointed out there are large holes in using multi value fields where you want to display it a certain way. The best way to handle this is with the correct, normalized structure. If you have a supporting table indicating that these strains have particular genotypes/phenotypes that you want to display in a particular column on a report or form that is far easier to deal with than trying to manipulate a mutli value field.

[nicolazilio]

Thanks. I will try that, but I am an Access beginner, so any good tutorial on how to go about doing this would go a long way...

[June7]

Start with http://www.rogersaccesslibrary.com/

or get a decent introductory tutorial book on Access.