[HELP]: How to show extra fields in a form if a value is selected

[Weetbix]

Hi all, new here. Just signed up to get some help on a particular aspect of Access. I'm quite a beginner to access but I'm starting to require using it for work. I'm using Access 2003 (with Windows XP).

I'm intending to make two extra fields open up if a particular value is selected. Just as a simple example:
Field: Type of Item
Possible Values: Alcohol, Beverage, Cutlery

So if either a beverage or alcohol is selected, I would like a new field to open up. For both Alcohol and Beverage, I would like "Content of bottle in mLs" to open up. For Alcohol, I would also like "Percentage Alcohol content" to also open up.



So basically, if a specific value is selected, I would like extra fields to come up. I'm not sure if there's any simple way to do it, or whether it requires VBA coding, but either way if it is possible I would like it to be done.

I also have a few other side questions, but I think it might be more appropriate for me to post them as a separate thread:
1) How do you make an input mask enter from right to left? For example, if post codes can either be 4 or 5 digits long, I put 90000 (requiring at LEAST 4 digits) but if you start entering data, it starts from the 9. Would it work if I did 00009?
2) Is there any way to make a form go through a progression of screens rather than all the input fields being on the one page?

Thanks in advance!

edit: Just realised that this post may have been more appropriate in the "Forms" sub forum? Not sure.. sorry.

[NTC]

* toggling the visibility true/false of one control based upon the value of another control is quite common, it does require rudimentary VBA and you must choose an event in which to put it (typically in the AfterUpdate event of the control holding the value. the typical code is:
me.ControlName.visible=false

* masks are tricky, I avoid them where ever possible and I really don't know if one can reverse the direction on that. not sure I've ever seen that question before...

* the form progression you are looking for are called Tabbed Forms. not able to explain this topic in a forum - invest in an Access textbook easily findable at amazon or a large book store and all these topics are covered.

hope it helps.

[hertfordkc]

Much of what you want to do can be accomplished by manipulating the "Visible" property of controls. You will also need to understand how to reference variables, controls, fields... Googling these topics will quickly move you along. Qualify your search by putting Access as the first word.