Default value of a field

[data808]

Not sure if default value is what I need but what I want to do is just have some text in the field to let the user know that this field is optional. So I don't need the content to be active. Just want it to be in the field if nothing is entered. The table should also know that nothing is entered in the field. So if the user decides to type something in then the field becomes active and is the recorded into the table.



Does anyone know how to do this? I checked a lot if the settings in properties but can't find the right one.

[June7]

I've never done anything like that. Fields can be set as required and code can validate before the record is saved.

Users should not be working directly with tables and queries - just forms and report.

I suppose the simplest is to just include that in caption of label control on form.

[ItsMe]

I suppose you could have a default value in a textbox control and then in the form's before update event handler check to see if the value still exists.

if me.txtControlName.value = "DefaultText" then
me.txtControlName.value = ""
end if

[June7]

Nice, ItsMe.

Only I would set the field to Null because I don't allow empty strings in tables.

Would be a lot of coding if a lot of fields are optional. If a lot of fields are optional, that indicates a non-normalized database structure.

[Missinglinq]

Here's a hack for doing this kind of thing, but it does takes some doing, and can only be done on a Single View Form (not on a Datasheet or Continuous View Form):

• Delete the Textbox’s attached Label
• Create new Label for Textbox with the Caption of choice (such as Optional Field)
• Set BackStyle and BorderStyle of the Label to Transparent
• Position Label inside of the Textbox
  

Now, use this code, replacing TargetFieldLabel and TargetField with the actual names of your Controls:

Private Sub Form_Current()

If Nz(Me.TargetField, "") <> "" Then
  TargetFieldLabel.Visible = False
Else
  TargetFieldLabel.Visible = True
End If

End Sub

Private Sub TargetField_GotFocus()
 
  TargetFieldLabel.Visible = False

End Sub

Private Sub TargetFieldLabel_Click()

  TargetField.SetFocus

End Sub

Private Sub TargetField_LostFocus()

If Nz(Me.TargetField, "") <> "" Then
  TargetFieldLabel.Visible = False
Else
  TargetFieldLabel.Visible = True
End If

End Sub

I have to tell you, though, if I were doing this, I'd use the BackColor of Controls to denote their optional status, or more likely, to denote the required fields.

Linq ;0)>