multiple table in one field in access

[Winter1]

I haven't used access before and I have to create a database and input the results of a questionnaire into a table in access.

So I have started and I find the first few steps okay, I am able to make drop down menus in fields to make my life easier when inputting the data i.e in my gender column I have male or female.

I have a question in the survey where I am trying to find out where people go and what they do....
I have different areas and I also have 11 different activities i.e. walking, cycling, fishing, rowing etc.
The answer could have been ticked more than once....what I mean is the person could walk and cycle and fish in area a and only cycle in area b.

I think what I need is a multiple choice table in one field....I don't know how to do this and it is a bit mammoth because there are 11 activities and 30 different areas.

If anyone can suggest how to do this, or can point me to a good 'how to....' type u-tube video I would be very grateful.



Thanks
Winter

[lfpm062010]

There are few way to achieve this.

Listbox and checkbox comes to mind. Google on access listbox or checkbox to see if it helps.

Thank you. John_G.

After re-reading the question, I only mentioned how to input your data and did not think that you might be asking how to desing your tables.

[John_G]

Before trying to enter data into the table, rethink your table design.

What you want to do should not be in one table - the data would not be properly normalized, and un-normalized data (especially here) will cause you nothing but grief later on when you try to get summary information. Your application would need at least three tables (Main survey; area; activity)

There is a wealth of information out there on how normalization works and how it can be implemented.

A couple of additional suggestions -

If you are designing your table with multi-valued fields or lookup fields - don't. These (IMO) abominations apply only to Access, and will give you nothing but grief in queries. Use lookup tables instead, then join the tables in queries.

Avoid entering data directly into tables - that's what forms are for.

Post back if you need more information - we're all here to help.

[Winter1]

Wow....okay so big steep learning curve.Thank you.

I have got my tables designed. I now have 5 tables. I am creating forms for them all.
The table I am having most trouble with is the one I first mentioned as the others are a lot simpler with one possible answer. However from what I gather from various on-line tutorials and a book on access I borrowed yesterday- this stage where I design my tables and forms will basically affect the analysis or I guess queries that I will be able to do later on (?)

So if I put in my table for the question on activity and location where basically I have 30 fields each representing the areas with a drop down menu of 11 activities and I leave the box unchecked where it says allow for multiple boxes to be ticked, this will mean that if a person in my survey has ticked say area a- where they walk, cycle and fish, I will have to have 3 records for them. I will have an individual survey form ID- to ensure there are no repeats of data. So when it comes to report writing I am able to ask it How many people fish in area a? How many people walk in area a,b,c,d,e, etc? How many people Walk and Cycle in area a? and display the data in pie charts or simple bar charts right?

If I check the box allow to have multiple answers it won't count individual answers or will it? i.e if I have 1 person walking in area a, but the rest 199 have ticked walking and cycling in area a- when I ask it how many people walk in area a? Will it count just 1, or will it count 200?

Sorry a long winded message....thanks for the help- its been ace.
Winter