Data entry question: sign reversal

[johnb23]

Is there a way to reverse the sign of a numerical field at data entry time and store the negative results...i.e. a quantity field (shipments) keyed as +100 to be stored as -100? I have tried several input mask solutions but none worked.
Thanks for any help or suggestions from an Access novice.

 

[Sergeant]

You can multiply the value times -1 in the AfterUpdate event, but I don't think this is the best solution.
It would be better to store it as a positive and change the way you subtract it from inventory, or whatever you're using it for.

 

[johnb23]

Is there a way to reverse the sign of a numerical field at data entry time and store the negative results...i.e. a quantity field (shipments) keyed as +100 to be stored as -100? I have tried several input mask solutions but none worked.
Thanks for any help or suggestions from an Access novice.

I tried Tqty=Tqty*-1 in the After Update (as you suggested) but it didn't work...Tqty was stored as positive. Could my expression be the problem?

 

[Sergeant]

What is the data type of the underlying field?

 

[Matrix_zero]

What if you try on lost focus?, that way as soon as you move off of it it will change it to a positive. This is what i did when i wanted someone to put in a positive number regardless of weather it was a return or a sale, i changed it to positive, and creted a popup asking if it was a return, if they answered yes i checked the return box.

this will work only if you still want them to see the negative number, otherwise if you have a save button make it part of that save event.

Just some ideas

 

[johnb23]

What is the data type of the underlying field?

Long interger

 

[Sergeant]

Long interger

Well that's the problem! There's no such thing as long inteRger!
LOL

Sorry I haven't gotten you any closer to the answer, as Long Interger will store a negative number.

 

[johnb23]

What if you try on lost focus?, that way as soon as you move off of it it will change it to a positive. This is what i did when i wanted someone to put in a positive number regardless of weather it was a return or a sale, i changed it to positive, and creted a popup asking if it was a return, if they answered yes i checked the return box.

this will work only if you still want them to see the negative number, otherwise if you have a save button make it part of that save event.

Just some ideas

Thanks for the suggestions. I must be doing something wrong because I'v tried the expression (Tqty=Tqty* -1) in every event control in properties...nothing works. ...guess I'll have to key negatives using the - key. Thanks again.