A better way than a listbox? (1 Viewer)

I am building a database tracks computers, which includes software. I am stuck on how to go about doing this. My current idea is to set up a listbox where the user can add software as time goes on. I might be missing something but as I see it, this information is not stored in a table, so if I needed to filter which computers had a specific software or print a report unique to this computer it wouldn't include the software.

If anybody has any ideas on how to do this it I would be very greatful.

you require a table to hold software. Use a query based on this table drive a combo box, and If you want to able to add to the list either use the Not In List event, or another common way is to trap a double click on the combo itself or its label then open a form or input box to get the new entry.

Ok so let me get this straight.

Ok i'm feeling dumb on this one... I would make a table of all the possible special software the user could have on their computer... Make a combo box based on the software field. When software is loaded, go to the combo box, choose the appropriate software.... and then what? Click a button and it would post somewhere or.... would I have to make a crapload of combo boxes for each type of software they had?

I guess i'm really not getting the concept... could you explain just a little bit more? I really appreciate your help.

(I just found out I would have to basically use the same concept for peripherals as well... goody goody...)

Army,

The end-result is that the data has to live in tables. At the very least
a Computer table (tblComputers) to hold all of the computers, a software
table (tblSoftware) to track all of the software for each computer, and
possibly a table for multiple "owners" and/or owner history.

Restricting the discussion to just the computer/software tables, the
simplest way is to have a main form for the computer info and a child
form for the software. You could use a combo-box to select which piece
of software corresponds to each new software entry.

It would be possible to deviate from the "standard" parent/child form
and use a listbox as the child form. You would have to write some code
to populate the listbox with all possible software titles, then INITIALLY
select each existing entry so that the user's titles are all highlighted.

Unfortunately after update, you'd have to traverse the listbox and get
the underlying child table "in synch" with the updated listbox. This
method would probably be the easiest to use, but also requires more of
your effort.

Just some thoughts,
Wayne