Newbie question, basic table automating entries

Hi all, new member with a newbie question. I have just started working with Access, so pardon if this question is unclear or pitifully basic. We have a basic database comprised of client names, amounts paid to-date and balance due. It also has a field named date last paid, so here is the question. When you enter or change the amount in paid to-date, can you automatically have the date of the change (ie. Todays Date) entered in the "Date last paid" field.

Thanks all for the help in advance.

Chris

[jaydwest]

When entering data direcdtly into a table there is no way to automatically trigger a macro or procedure to update the date. You could display the table in a form and then create a procedure on the Form_BeforeUpdate event.

Another way to accomplish this that may be easier for you is to create a macro the is initiated from a keystroke. Then have the user press something line {control} d to update the date. If you are not familiar with macros, this may take a little research.

Good luck

[edtab]

You could update any field in any table in your database
via an action query (specifically an update query).
You usually create one of these action queries via
the query design grid.

Another way is by a Docmd.RunSql statement where you
specify in your vb script the required sql statement to
update your table.

This is just a very shallow explanation. You'll need to dig
deeper into these two topics.

The form route will most likely be the way to go, eventually the goal is to have all data entered / updated via a form. Any suggestions on creating a procedure on the Form_BeforeUpdate event, as jaydwest suggested?

Thanks,
Chris

[KeithG]

You should actually create a seperate table for the date paid. Then you would be able to keep track of every payment your client has made. It sounds like the designer of this database did not normalize it.

This database did not have a designer, it is vast amounts of data culled from a HUGE Excell workbook. So any suggestions at all would be apreciated. Here are a few specifics:

It is an attorney's office, the database needs to show the retainer amount, the amount paid to-date and the balance due. I would like to have the database do the calculations automatically (retainer-paid=balance due etc.)

I would also love to figure out a way for it automatically put todays date in a "Date last Paid" field when an amount is entered in the "Paid to-date" field.

Then I would like for it to add 30 days to "Date last paid" and place that value in a "Reminder date" field.

Now, a Disclaimer: I am not in any way, shape or form familiar with programming or Visual Basic, beyond the VERY basics. I am the firms computer tech (ie. hardware) and this kinda got dumped in my lap.

So, your help is GREATLY appreciated.

Chris