Missing Item List in a Combo Box

[Robbyp2001]

I recently converted an Access 2010 database to 2003 format. At first everything seemed fine, with the exception of one or two command buttons not responding. However I have now discovered that a combo box does not display the list of items. The list appears blank, although the contents are there. I know this because I can manually move down the list using the arrows keys and whatever I select appears on the corresponding form. I just don't know what I am selecting beforehand.

I have tried changing the background colour and fill and the foreground colour. Same result. I have tried to recreate the combo box, based on the same query. I still cannot see the items, however I can see the item ID number in the other column. I tried recreating the combo based on the table itself. Exactly the same problem!

Even stranger, is the fact that there are many combo boxes in this database but it is only this particular combo that is effected and only the item field.

This combo works perfectly well in Access 2010 which makes me think that it might be a conversion problem, but why only this combo and no other? I'm stumped.

If anyone has any suggestions about this I'd be very grateful to hear them.



Rob

[orange]

What is the source of info for the combobox?
Can you show us the properties? Perhaps a picture of the issue?

[Robbyp2001]

Hey Orange, thank you for your prompt reply. The combo box's data comes from a query 'Subject Select Query' which contains [Subject ID] and [Subject].

This is part of a combination of three combo boxes [Teacher], [Year Group] and [Subject]. The combination of all three produce a set of filtered records. This combination works perfectly well in Access 2010 and the contents of [Teacher] and [Year Group] are visible. In Access 2003, the contents of [Subject] are not. (Unfortunately I do not have Access 2003 here to show you).

Imagine a combo box list where each item in the drop down is coloured white on a white background. If you know the order of the items, say number three for example, you can, using the down arrow key, count the items and select the correct one. So, the items are there.

I hope that I'm explaining this clearly.

I tried to attach a couple of screen dumps to show the properties. I hope it works.

Rob.

[orange]

I have 2003. The only thing I see is for combo23 the Back Color says No Color??

I tried to adjust a combobox Back Color in 2003 and it won't let me enter No Color. Access says Not in the list and refuses to accept it.

You could try manually assigning it to Black or Red... just a guess.

[Robbyp2001]

Thanks Orange. I tried that this afternoon, using one of the computers that show the problem. I tried a variety combinations of colours but had no success. I also tried creating a brand new combo in Access 2003 but still had the same problem. What I find most confusing is when creating the new combo containing the Subject ID and Subject, the subject ID is visible but not the subject.

I know that this has something to do with the conversion from 2010 to 2003 or something to do with the configuration of the machines running 2003.

I'll keep trying and if I can figure it out I'll let you know.

Thanks for your help

Rob

[orange]

Do you want to post a 2003 version without any confidential data. I could look at it -- can't guarantee anything.

[Robbyp2001]

Thanks Orange

I tried to attach the database but I couldn't. I think it might be too big. I'll see if I can reduce the size. If so I'll send a copy. There's noting confidential in there.

Rob

[orange]

Did you try to Zip it.

[Robbyp2001]

Hi Orange

I tried several times to load the zip file but it keeps failing. It 5,465kb in size. Do you think that's the problem? I've tried Winrar, WinArchiver and PowerISO as well as Winzip.

Rob

[aytee111]

Did you check your column widths and number of columns? Usually with combo boxes the first column is the ID which is invisible (width 0"), then the second column has a value, such as 2"

[orange]

You should do a compact and repair to get rid of "used" space within the database; then try to zip.

[Robbyp2001]

Thanks Aytee, I did check the colums and there are two. I had the ID column set to 0" and the main column set to 2". What's very strange though is that when I create a new combo, and accept the settings for coumn widths, I can actually see the ID numbers in their column but not the main contents in the other column. Also this is the only one of many combo boxes that does this.

I believe that there is a problem with the PC configuration. On many PCs that the database runs on there is no problem, it seems to be only the PCs that are still running Access 2003 that are experiencing this anomoly.

My next move is to recreate the pop up form that contains the combo box from scratch to see if there is something conflicting there. I will do this on one of the PCs where there is a problem. However this idea is based on the theory that if you eliminate every possibility systematically you will finally arrive at the truth. In other words, I haven't a clue and I'm getting deperate!

Rob

[orange]

The comb023 you showed earlier had widths 0";1.0007".????

[Robbyp2001]

Your correct Orange, I just guessed at the size. The important thing is that it is not set to '0', therefore it should be visible.

[Robbyp2001]

Orange, I have compacted and repaired the database, I've also deleted a lot of non-crucial data from several tables in order to reduce its size. I think the only way forward would be to delete the contents of one of the two large tables. I'll do this tonight and try again.