Combo box display problem

[RobJD]

I'm using a combo box so users can select/change the parent entity of child record. The row source is a query and the bound column is the unique record ID for the parent entity. In addition to the entity name, I'm displaying some additional columns in the combo box so users can distinguish between similarly named entities. When the form loads the combo box only displays the first column which is a sequence number from the underlying table and something users are familiar with. When I open the drop down, I see the additional columns but they do not display when the drop down is 'closed.' Is there a way I can display all of the columns when the form loads and the drop down is closed? Thx.

[mike60smart]

Hi Rob
It would be easier if you upload your database so we can see the problem.

[Minty]

By default a combo will only display the first visible column that is selected.

There are a variety of ways around this - you can concatenate the various columns into a string and simply display that as the combo's main column.
Alternatively you could display the other columns on the form if there is room.
A third option is to have a text box overlaid on the combo that displays the data you want. You leave the combo box as is and just hide all of it with the text box except the actual drop down arrow.
When it's clicked it will display exactly as it does now.

[RobJD]

Thanks Minty. This was very helpful; made me think of another solution. I just changed the order of the columns in the underlying query so the entity name is first. Now the entity name displays when the form loads. Thx.

[Welshgasman]

I always use autonumbers. So my first column is that, second is the description. First column width is set to 0, so that is hidden.
First column is the bound column.

[moke123]

I just changed the order of the columns

If the combo is bound, make sure you set the bound column property to the correct column.