Form design

[wraith]

I need to add a form to an accounts databse I am building.
The form needs to show several items across the top in data view, with four fields down the side. When an invoice comes in with the total order they would enter this info first. Then as the goods arrive which can be in several shipments they would add the goods and the form would calculate what is outstanding.
How would I start?

 

[Mile-O]

How would I start?

With a robust table structure. After your other post about blank records it is obvious that you don't have a good structure to base queries - and subsequently forms - upon.

 

[KenHigg]

Start here!

 

[wraith]

So I take from the replies I have received that my database structure is rubbish and I should go and buy a book on access.
Thanks for your help

 

[Mile-O]

my database structure is rubbish and I should go and buy a book on access.

From what you've said to describe it: yes.

I wouldn't go buying a book though. They very rarely touch or explain on normalisation which is the most important first step to understand in creating a database.

The post you made regarding blank records was a giveaway that you are not using Access the way that it is meant to be used; it read as if you were trying to create a Spreadsheet style template in Access which, of course, you'd use a spreadsheet for and not a relational database application.

Have a look at the details on the link below:

Designing a database & Normalisation

 

[KenHigg]

Sorry - I wouldn't ( couldn't) call your table structure rubish - never seen it. It's just that the nature of your post:

You need to 'add a form ' with 'several items across the top' and 'four fields down the side'.

Lead me to think a good book would help a lot...

Ken

 

[wraith]

I know my problem can be done in excel, but I wanted to know if you could point me in the right direction.
Weather using subforms would be the answer.
Basically the user enters all the details from a Purchase Order into a record, then as the goods arrive they could enter what goods have arrived and the form would show what is outstanding.

 

[Mile-O]

Tell me what you've got just now - table structure, and I'll point you in the right direction.

Using a subform to help present a one-to-many or many-to-many relationship (I don't know which yet) is the answer.

 

[KenHigg]

The main problem is that I (we) are not aware of everything you are trying to accomplish with your database. If you are just wanting to track PO's then there may be one suggestion whereas if you are trying to include invoices and other stuff then the answer may be totally different. That's why its important to document what you the system to do and have a normalized model ironed out before you ever do a table in Access. I would suggest you read through the information in link Mile provided. If you have any questions on those subjects, post them here.

ken

 

[wraith]

I have a table for POnumber and Supplier, which the main form is sourced to.
Then a table for goods, on the main form this is child linked by the POnumber.
So the user enters all the different goods and qty's. That OK
But as the goods arrive over a period of time, they want to have another form whereby they can enter a invoice number and enter goods recieved.
On the first subform there needs to by a extra box to show what goods are outstanding that's where I am stuck