Derived attributes

[mlbwhf]

Hi guys,

I have a field with drop down to choose from, the options is:
silver
gold
diamond


wanted to create a field in the same table or another table where the value will come directly from this choice, so if the user silver in the first option the number 1 will be in the new field, if he choose gold 25, diamond 50.
can you help me please?

[Rod]

The simplest way is to place a combo box on your form. In the Property Sheet (Data tab) specify the Row Source Type as Value List, the Row Source as "1;Silver;25;Gold;50;Diamond," the Bound Column as 1, the Control Source as the field that is to hold the numeric. Then under the Format tab specify the Column Count as 2 and the Column Widths as 0 (zero).

You're done!

[mlbwhf]

but i want to put it in a table not in a form, can i do this?

[rpeare]

tblLevels
Lev_ID  Lev_Desc  Lev_Value
1       Silver    1
2       Gold      25
3       Diamond   50

Then base your combo box on your main form with the tblLevels as your record source, keep the bound column as the lev_ID field then when you are performing any calculations or lookups you link to your tblLevels table to look up the value.

[ssanfu]

Just so we're talking apples and apples, it is important to understand:

Tables store data
Forms do not store data
Forms are windows to look at the data in tables (and queries - queries are "virtual" tables)
Forms have controls that can be bound to the record source - a table or a query.

When you see data in a control that is on a form, you are looking at a specific field in a specific table.

[mlbwhf]

thanks guys

[Rod]

... wanted to create a field in the same table or another table where the value will come directly from this choice ...

Sorry thought you were referring to storing the 'result' in this field.

ssanfu: Agreed but this is more like an enumeration and a value list is one way of specifying a type of enumeration. Agreed also that if the enumerated values are subject to change then a 'value list' (lookup) table is more appropriate.

[ssanfu]

Rod: Agreed.... I use value lists in combo boxes sometimes when the list doesn't/won't change. I see a lot of "store the value in a form" comments in posts, so when I saw

but i want to put it in a table not in a form, can i do this?

, I was trying to make the differentiation between a table and a form.

I missed the question totally

[Rod]

It should be mandatory that all newcomers to Access undergo a three day orientation (including terminology).