multiple choice (with combobox? or list?)

[ntambomvu]

Hello Chaps,
I am trying to use set up a table for my small compant stores. One of the fields that are in the table will be called "category". all Items in this field will fall into one of about 8 categories . When I select to enter into that field i would like a dropdown to appear
listing a selection of possibilities of which the operator must select on.
I have doen this before but I forgot how it is done. I would appreciate suggestions and if possible examples??
as I am not a boffin - simplicity is a primary requirement.

many thanks

fred evans

[June7]

Use combobox or listbox depending on form design. This is basic Access functionality and many tutorials are available.

If you want combobox list to automatically 'drop down', this will require VBA code.

[Micron]

I see no mention of a form - just a table. If you mean to have this list as a lookup field in a table itself, it isn't recommended. Nor should you be planning to work directly in tables as a matter of normal course. If I've misinterpreted, just ignore an old codger.

[ntambomvu]

To June and micron- thanks for the input I need to chew over what I am doing because I fear that I am entering directly into the table at the moment.
As I am at work at the moment- i will only be able to give full attention to the matter tomorrow or later.

[ntambomvu]

hello Micron--"old codger" well I am 76 so i relate
regards

fred

[Micron]

As someone once wisely said, "old" is 20 years older than you.
Congrats on making it this far. You have me beat.
These might help with respect to lookup fields (and such) wrt tables.
The evils of lookup fields - http://access.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm
Table and PK design tips - http://www.fmsinc.com/free/newtips/primarykey.asp
About calculated table fields - http://allenbrowne.com/casu-14.html

[ntambomvu]

thanks micron - i will go through the old codger suggestions!!
good luck

fred

[ntambomvu]

hello micron - me again with newbie question.
Up to now i have been creating new accdb tables all in their own folder.
I have a total of about 6 different folders each with a table .
I have the following folders
customer
stores
jobcards
completed jobs
tooling list
price list

Reading your suggestions- am i right in assuming that I should have them all in the same folder?
regards
fred

[June7]

What exactly do you mean by 'folder' - an Access file? Yes, tables for a single relational database should all be in one Access file as much as possible - until file exceeds Access 2GB size limit.

[Micron]

If June7 is correct (which would have been my assumption too) then don't take this as an insult, but that's a pretty clear indication that you don't have a grasp of any of the basics. Maybe check these out for a start (recommend you do a lot more reading than this, before doing any more work).
Normalization is paramount. Diagramming maybe not so much for some people.

Normalization Parts I, II, III, IV, and V
http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.com...ng-part-i.html
and/or
http://holowczak.com/database-normalization/

Entity-Relationship Diagramming: Part I, II, III and IV
http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.ca/...ng-part-i.html

How do I Create an Application in Microsoft Access?
http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.ca/...cation-in.html

Important for success:
One source about how to name things - http://access.mvps.org/access/general/gen0012.htm
What not to use in names - http://allenbrowne.com/AppIssueBadWord.html
About Auto Numbers
- http://www.utteraccess.com/wiki/Autonumbers
- http://access.mvps.org/access/general/gen0025.htm

The evils of lookup fields - http://access.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm
Table and PK design tips - http://www.fmsinc.com/free/newtips/primarykey.asp
About calculated table fields - http://allenbrowne.com/casu-14.html

[ntambomvu]

Thanks - I open a seperate windows folder for each of my tables . this means that i would have
6 seperate folders in my windows root for each of the tables mentioned above. at the moment
my biggest file is oldjobs.accdb which is 50,176 KB

[Micron]

If you can put a "table" in a Windows folder without it being in a database or it being a csv file, I'd like to learn how. IMHO this isn't possible. You can, however, have a database file with one table in it. What is the extension of your single file in said folder?

[ntambomvu]

the extension is .accdb
regards fred

[Micron]

Those aren't tables. They are database files, specifically Access files. Apparently each of yours contains only 1 table. If they're related to each other, then definitely they belong in the same db file. Do read the above links and/or concentrate on how to create a db.

[ntambomvu]

OK- i AM SIUTABLY