Best way to use dropdown in forms

[tagteam]

I am trying to get opinions on what is the best way to handle dropdowns in forms.



I am currently creating a unique select query that queries all the available values and then sorts them. I then convert the text box on the form to a combo box and select that query as the source.

is it better or faster to do it another way.

Also, if I have a field that I want to limit to just a few options is it better to use a lookup query and limit to list or better to just set the options as a value list in the box on the form?
Thanks for any ideas.

[June7]

You could drag the combobox from the design tab and build the query in the RowSource property.

All depends how much flexibility you need. If you want to allow easy expansion of the list then use a table/query as the combobox RowSource. Adding a new item is just adding a new record in table. If the combobox list is very short and will absolutely never grow (like Male/Female - oops Germany has Neutral gender now), then a value list could be suitable.

[tagteam]

ok, thank you for the advice. When you build the query from the combo box properties is the query stored in the form? It will not show up in the navigation menu?

[June7]

That is correct.

[tagteam]

great, thanks