Lookup fields - removal

[mcalex]

Hi, after finding out about the evils of lookup fields, I'm attempting to remove all these that have been added in the table design of our database and would like confirmation before I go charging in that I won't hurt anything.

Can I just go through each table definition and change the Display Control from Combo Box to Text Box? Am I right in thinking that the actual data returned by queries using this table won't change; just the 'display columns' that are looked up by the field? ie all the rows will be the same identity-wise?

cheers
mcalex

 

[Galaxiom]

The query and forms fields have their own lookups so removing them from tables should have no effect on them.

However being sure that changing something in Access definitely won't hurt anything is something we all dream of but never seriously expect.

Backup your database before you start.

 

[SOS]

Short answer - yes, just change from combo box to text box. The values will still remain but will show the values instead of the descriptions.

But as noted - always good to make a copy of the database before doing any changes so you can revert if necessary.

 

[mcalex]

thanks guys, looks like it's all worked

... now I've just got to deal with all these backup copies I have floating around