Thanks for the tip Casey, it works in so far as it brings up the message box and I can type in a surname (this database is only just starting, which is good - gives me a chance to get it running more smoothly!) and we only have one surname currently in there, BUT if I enter the surname it doesn't return the correct info. It just brings up a blank record, which is 1 of 1 (there are currently five records in the database - hence my interest in getting this search right before there are 105!)
As for the klingon, it's getting better daily - I'm understanding more of the replies in the forum, and the occasional chapter in the help section - I managed to add command buttons for certain macros I had created to the header section, all by my little self! A very simple thing for you guys I'm sure, but a giant leap for blonde kind!