I know exactly what you are talking about, but I'm telling you, you have to use a form. The form that you create will be tied/related/connected to the table of your choice and on the form you add combo boxes, list boxes, text boxes, radio buttons, check boxes, command buttons, the list of controls that you can add to form keeps going on, but you add what ever control is going to aid/speed your process of looking up or maintaining your data, but I'm telling you, to do what you want you have to use a form.
When you create a form you can use the Form Wizard which will guide you through the process of creating a basic form, connecting the the table to the controls on the form. After the basic form is created you can arrange, add, delete controls to suit your need.
If you have question on creating a form, use the Help file in access, it is going to be your best imediate resource, and lookup "Creating Forms", and when you've exhausted the Help file, we will be here for you.