I am trying to create a text box ('Location') that updates its contents after an option is chosen from a combo box (a list of different courses) on the same form. When I choose a particular course, I want the text box to display the town related to that particular course. I can create a combo box that does this but it comes with a drop-down arrow and makes the form look untidy.

Does anybody know of a way of just having a text box that will display the town name? ? ?

Check the post above this one "Autofilled data not in table"

HTH#

I have tried using AfterUpdate [Text10] = [Combo8].Column(1) but it completely refuses to update automatically. Is there something obvious I am missing ???

Are you putting...
[Text10] = [Combo8].Column(1)
in the AfterUpdate Event of Combo8?

Also do you have the town as the second column in combo8?

I've just read a message on the forum showing me how to do it exactly, namely Me.Combo20 = Me.Text18.Column(2). Thanks ever so much for your help anyway; can you tell me (sic) what 'Me' actually does?

'Me' in this case is referencing the form which you probably don't need.