Displaying an entry value of one table, in another based on primary key.

[MoooPleX]

Hello. I'm new here, and this concept is a little hard for me to explain.. if clarification is needed, I'd be happy to do so.



I have a 7 table database in Access 2007. I've listed primary keys of one table in another table in order to create a relationship between them. What I want to do is instead of having the table entry show a foreign key ("1","2","3".. ect), I want it to show a specific VALUE of a specific entry from another table, from the row denoted by the primary key.

Example.. In the Orders table, instead of showing the FoodID as 1, 2 or 3.. I would like it to show: Chicken Dinner, Ham Omelet or Bacon Burger. The primary keys of which are: 1, 2 and 3 (in the Foods table).

[RuralGuy]

Create a query that joins the two tables on the Relationship field and display any field you want from either table.

[jzwp11]

In the table, you would show only the key value (i.e. 1,2,3). Relational databases work more efficiently with number fields rather than text. Additionally, all interaction with the data should be through forms, so generally the tables are hidden from the users in a database application.

Do you have your relationships established between the tables via the relationship window? If so you can create queries that bring the info in the tables together. You can then base your forms on the queries or alternatively, you can base the forms on your tables and use combo boxes to display the related food name.

This site has some tutorials that might be helpful in explaining how to use queries and forms to see related information.

[MoooPleX]

Thanks for the help and speedy reply. I considered your solutions and searched a little more on the topic.

As it turns out, I solved my problem by creating a lookup column with the lookup wizard.

Just thought I'd post my findings for the googlers out there that might want to accomplish a similar task.

[jzwp11]

If you mean you have put lookups at the table level, you may want to look at this site. Lookups (combo and list boxes) are best left to forms.