Create a look up field

[macattack03]

I'm trying to figure out how to make a look up field to include specific items I've referred to an office book I have and searched online just not understanding the instructions and keep getting error messages

[orange]

I'd like to help but you're going to have to give more info.
I'm not following this

how to make a look up field to include specific items I've referred to an office book

Please give an example of what exactly you want to do

[SteveH2508]

If this is a look up field in a table then don't bother to learn it. They are more trouble than they are worth and experienced developers avoid them like the plague.

8 good reasons why not to use them http://access.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm

[orange]

Yes, I totally agree with Steve--if you are talking about lookups at the Table level. However, if you are talking about a lookup table -- say of postal codes to lookup City, State/Province etc, then that is different. This is a very good use of a Lookup Table.
Other examples might be a series of Product Codes that identify a ProductName and Size, Weight etc .

An SIC code (numeric) that identifies an Industry by Name and Unique description.

[macattack03]

• Create a lookup field for Comm Rate that includes 0.09, 0.08, and 0.07.

Not sure what other information your looking for hope this helps its for a college class and i agree lookup fields or tables are unrealistic because of the problems they cause

[orange]

• Create a lookup field for Comm Rate that includes 0.09, 0.08, and 0.07.

Not sure what other information your looking for hope this helps its for a college class and i agree lookup fields or tables are unrealistic because of the problems they cause

No it isn't that lookup fields or tables are problems-- It is Lookups at the Table level in Access have a number of serious issues(see link below) and should be avoided.

http://access.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm

See PM for response to previous message.

[orange]

No one on the forums is about to do an assignment for you. That doesn't mean we won't offer advice or recommendation(s). In order to understand what the instructor was asking, you'll have to provide more info, or the exact phrase that was given to you.

Here is the advice I can provide based on what you are asking and the info you have provided.

Access offers the use of lookup Table at the Table level. This is frowned upon by many with any database maintenance experience. See this reference for why it is NOT recommended. http://access.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm

Lookup tables, as we have known and used them for years, can be a relatively static set of values that can be referenced from different contexts.

Sample usage of a proper Lookup Table:
Often when dealing with companies, a given company may have many addresses. In database terms we may call these AddressType. And because they are quite common, we make a reference (Lookup Table) table.
With fields
AddrTypeId PK number <-----lookup on this value to get the descriptive text
Description text <--- to get this value

For example:
1 - Mailing Address - where general correspondence is delivered
2 - Shipping Address - where shipments are sent
3 - Billing Address - where Bills and Financials are sent
4 - Physical Location Address - where the building is located

Another area of common reference terms: could be military rankings
(I found this example using Google)
1 -"Lt Col"
2 - "Maj",
3 -"A/Capt"
4 - "Capt"
5 - "A/Lt"
6 - ''Lt"
7 - "Sgt"
8 - "Pvt"

Now for usage of the Lookup Table, consider a hypothetical Table of Company_addresses, with fields:

CompanyId - PK number
AddressType (Lookup to AddressType Table)
AddressLine1
AddressLine2
City
State

Note: In this one table you can have all addresses (addresstypes) for any/all companies. You can add addressTypes without changing the table structure.

and some sample records
rec(1)
20034
1 <---you use this value to LOOKUP the addrTypeId
245 Central park Ave.
--blank --
New York City
New York

rec(2)
20034
3
Financial HeadQuarters
1 Exxon Plaza
Houston
Texas

With this set up you could add a new AddressType, without modifying table structure.
You would add a new record in the AddressType Table, and you could add a record in the Company_Addresses table accordingly.

I hope this is clear and assists you with your understanding of Lookup Tables and your assignment.

If you are still unclear please post specific questions and I'm sure others will pitch in to help resolve them.
Good luck.