Basic How-to-Organize ?s

[flwrgrl]

I am trying to set up a database for a small cast iron foundry where we make lots of different products for customers' particular orders (POs). Oftentimes, it makes multiple days to produce the customer's entire order. We currently have a hand-written card system. Each item ordered has its own card. If a customer has the same part ordered on two POs, there are two cards, one for each PO. In addition to tracking the production based on part, I also need to track production based on date. I have created a database in which I created a column for 23 separate production dates with corresponding qty made for each date. It kind of works, but doesn't allow enough flexibilty and I can't track the qty based on date. I have a lot of files already created and would be very happy to share what I have made in search of constructive criticism. This is my first foray into the world of Access and really, databases beyond Excel. I am feeling rather buried, and would love a hand up!



If you know of other posts which would help, please tell me those as well.

Thanks in Advance!

[orange]

Do you have a data model?
There are several free models at
http://www.databaseanswers.org/data_models/index.htm

Do you have a list of requirements?
These will be key in setting up your table structures.

I recommend the first 3 topics at this site as necessary reading.
http://www.rogersaccesslibrary.com/forum/topic238.html

[flwrgrl]

Thanks orange. Those articles are helping a lot. I am in the process of figuring it all out, but I am sure to have a few more questions. I will post again, I'm sure!

[flwrgrl]

OK, I have determined that our orders have too many variables to "normalize" that. I export my Open Orders from Quickbooks into Excel and run a macro to to put it all in order, and that imports to my Access table without problem. The part that I just cannot figure out is how to enter my multiple production dates for each item on my OpenOrders table. I want to be able to view each item record with its production dates AND view each production date's items. I think I need a query but with multiple dates for each item, it doesn't make sense to me. Any takers? Thanks!