Generate Buttons based on number of entries in a table

[daisy]

Hello,

I'm pretty new to access and am still learning some of the functionality. For my project, I am keeping a record of completed courses that participants may have taken. Each course is assigned a particular category, some courses may have more than one category.

As a loose example say course #1 is art, course #2 is writing, course #3 is math, course #4 is science, and course #5 is math AND science.

I may need to add additional courses down the road and flag them as a category (or multiple categories). To do this, I have a form where I can enter course specific information, as well as check a box for a particular category and generate a new course record from that information.

However, I may wish to add additional categories down the road as well. (or change them) I'd like the checkboxes on the course entry form to automatically update if the category table changes. Is there a way to loop through the category table and generate a checkbox for each category? That way if a new category is entered, the form automatically updates as well as with the proper number of categories. Currently, I have to go through and change the code or add / remove checkboxes manually. I am wondering if it is possible to automate this function.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Welshgasman]

Look at how the switchboard form is populated.
I would probably have a combo and just the one button.

[Micron]

If you constantly need a new control because of an added field then you have committed Excelitis and have designed your tables as you would spreadsheets. That's a big mistake that will only haunt you from here on in. If you don't know what db normalization is the research it (perhaps start with these)
Normalization Parts I, II, III, IV, and V
http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.com...on-part-i.html
and/or
http://holowczak.com/database-normalization/

If you do understand it and your db is normalized then I have not understood what you're doing.

[daisy]

Look at how the switchboard form is populated.
I would probably have a combo and just the one button.

The problem with the combo box is that I can only select 1 category at a time. I may need to select multiple categories. Essentially, I need a combo box where each of the options inside it is toggleable. Is there a way I can select multiple entries in a combo box?

[isladogs]

It is possible to do this with a combo if you have a multivalued field but most developers will tell you that is a VERY BAD idea! See Multivalued Fields - Mendip Data Systems

I suggest you use a multiselect listbox instead.

[Micron]

There is also another approach which is sometimes used if selections might need to be maintained for several processes, or modified by e.g. removing one item but keeping the rest.

[orange]

Further to the suggestions/advice made so far, I recommend you write (perhaps in point form) the essence of your proposed application. Identify the things involved and what it is that relates them one to another. Understand WHAT you are dealing with before determining HOW in may be accomplished in Access.

Make a data model that you can modify before committing to a physical database design. Test the model and adjust as necessary. See stump the model for ideas.

Mock up some data, and test scenarios.

I agree that 2 multiselect listboxes seem appropriate, but focus on your tables and relationships before the user interface.
Good luck.