Dropdown Boxes, Commands...ETC

[KristenD]

I have rolled out my database for testing and have had a few suggestions come back so far as well as have a few of my own.

I have parameters for the reports that are run but it requires the entry of the user. One suggestion that came back was could I used a dropdown box so the user could choose from the list rather than type in the information. I'm assuming I would have to do this through forms?

Another one was for the queries to automatically export to Excel. I thought I had done that with the export and saved it in Access 2007 but it's not doing it.

For my own, I was looking for buttons that would search to see if a record already exists for an employee (searching by EmpID). If it does exist, then I want it to go to that employee record. Then in the tabbed form, I would like a button that I can click on that would go to a "new" record (blank record).

Can someone point me in the right direction? I've looked on office.com but it really doesn't give me any guidance as far as steps and what needs to be done. Thank you!!!

 

[KenHigg]

I think you will become frustrated trying to learn access off the internet. There are several good books. I think the major down side is the cycle of Q,A after QA after Q,A...

Just my 2 cents, nothing more

 

[KristenD]

I found the answers for my questions and have updated those forms. Now I am just looking for answers or guidance on how to automatically export on the queries and the drop down boxes for the parameters instead of typing.

 

[KenHigg]

Oh - my bad.

So on the drop down thing just add the control to the form and set it bound to the field that you want to store the value in. Then set the row source type in the controls property box. If you set it to table/query enter the table/query or if you want set the row source type to value list and enter the values in the row source.

 

[KristenD]

Can I have it so the drop down list works the like parameters of a query when the message box pops up? For example most of the queries/reports ask the user if they want to look at "Active" or "Eligible" employees. The user then types in "Active" or "Eligible". But what the user would like instead of typing is to have that message box be buttons or a list that they can choose from. Same thing with the rating, choose in the message box instead of typing in a number. Same goes for the skill codes as well. Is there a way to do this without me creating a form that they would have use first then open a report?

 

[spikepl]

Did you ever download any working database to look at how things are done? Simply to gain conceptual understanding of things? If not, that I'd highly recommend that you do so.

Controls like comboxes, listboxes, textboxes, buttons all live in forms and forms only.

If you want to provide a controlled way to enter data into the db, then there is no way you can get around a FORM. That form could pop up just before a report displays, or be opened from the switchboard, but a form there has to be.

 

[KenHigg]

Sounds like everything you describe is possible. I suggest you create a test database and form and play around with the combo box control.

 

[KristenD]

I have looked at a few working databases. I also looked at all the tutorials that are available on this website. But I have a hard time translating what most of the databases are looking at compared to mine. It is either too advanced from the point that I am at now or too simple for what I need.

Maybe I can look at some Access classes in the area and see if I can't gain some hands on knowledge that way. That is the easiest way for me to learn. Unless the instructions are spelled out to a tee I have a hard time figuring stuff out.

 

[KenHigg]

... I have a hard time figuring stuff out.

Don't let that stop you, everybody has that problem

 

[gemma-the-husky]

we are always learning

i thought collections were pretty pointless. all of a sudden, i am starting to see uses for them