I have a created a database. A field in a table is predicted grade, the answers to that are distinction, merit,pass,fail.

From here I need to attach a numerical value to each one. Distinction would be -4 merit -3 pass-2 fail -0.

I need to do the same for the table achieved grade.

Except these values are positive so distinction would be 4 and so on.

Now i imagine I need to do a query to do this, so I think my question would be

How do I give each grade a numerical value. The numerical value of pridcted grade would then be added with the numerical value of the achieved grade to produce a residual.

How would I do all of this, ive been trying for the past 2 h ours and am completly stumped.

Have a table of grade and values

Grade Distinction
Pred_value -4
Act_value 4

Link this table to your main table and when you select date let the link extract the numberic value applicable.

Len

tom,
In a blank field of your query grid type =IIf([yourfield]="distinction",-4,IIf([yourfield]="merit",-3,IIF([yourfield]="pass",-2,IIF([yourfield]="fail",0))))
You can use this same code as the recordsource of a textbox in a form or report.
jim