Hello. I'm New and I have a question.

[NoFedora]

Hopefully, you guys won't laugh at it's simplicity but here goes...

I have One table in Access which has a LOT of fields. It is an archeology datasheet which needs to keep track of all of the types of materials found in a test pit dig.

ie.. Number of Pipe Stems..... 5
Number of Pipe Bowls .... 3
Number of Pipe Rims ...... 1
Number of Glass Bottles 9
Number of Ceramic Plates 5


I also have total fields which I want to contain the summs of these materials.

IE.... Total of Pipe material, Glass Material, Ceramic Material.... 23 <as from the numbers above>

The thing is I can get the Total to SHOW on the form where all this data is entered, but I can't getthe total data actually IN the Table in the Total Field.

How do I get the Total Fields in my table to actually have the Totals of various other field PER Record?

Anyone?

 

[scottfarcus]

I hate to tell you this, but the general rule is:

Do not STORE calculated data. Only DISPLAY it (on forms and reports and such).

It is in your best interest to NOT have the summed total IN your table.

 

[Liv Manto]

You have to assign recordset to the table then update the recordset field to whatever the total is.

Ask the clip for recordset update.

 

[NoFedora]

Hrmm. Why is it a bad thing to store the totals in the table? And are you the scott Farcus from 'A Christmas Story'?

And Liv I think I know what you are talking about and I will give it a go.

 

[scottfarcus]

good call

 

[karmahum]

Redundant Data

Storing calulated fields in your tables creates redundant data...Why store data that can be derived from other fields.

 

[NoFedora]

Ok. I understand how to SHOW the totals in a field on a form but there are a LOT of fields.

Ie must have 5 different categories. Three Prehistoric and two Historic and each has upwards of 30 items each.

I want to show Totals for each prehistoric category and historic category.

Then a total for each, Prehistoric and Historic.

And then a Total for all. If keeping totals in a field is not a good idea, then I am gonna have a huge equation for the final total, yes?

I am a poor programmer by the way so the extent of my programming for this database has been to make a macro to unshade a field if another field is activated.

And I looked up the RecordSet Liv, it is not what I thought it was. I'm all good with not recording the totals in the table, but I do need to manipulate the totals so that is what is causign me problems.

 

[WayneRyan]

NoFedora,

You need to better organize your database.

Table Digs: (Each dig has one record)
DigIdentifier
DigDate
DigDescription

Table DigHistory: (Each dig has many records)
DigIdentifier (Matches the entry in table Digs)
DigCategory (Filled in with a combo box)
DigItemName (Get this from the DigItems table)
DigQuantity
DigComment

Table DigItems:
ItemName
Description

This will simplify your forms and summations.

hth,
Wayne

 

[NoFedora]

Ok. I will give this a shot.

I THINK I understand what it is suppossed to look like.

Thanks for everyone's help.