lookup without a relationship?

[Pingo]

If I don't want to set lookup fields in the table, but in the forms. Do I still need to create relationships between the fields or this can be done directly from the form? I'm asking because when Access create lookup fields in tables, it does create relationships.

Let's say I have a table of Clients and table of state postal codes, and I want to store for each client it's state. Do I need to create a relationship between the two fields?

 

[ajetrumpet]

to input data like this, you should probably use a form. The ideal situation would be two tables: 1) clients (fields = 1-client, 2-state). 2) state codes

in the form, use SQL to look up all state codes in the lookup table. Then bind the combo box control to the STATE field in the CLIENTS table. That is the ideal way to input data into a database initially.

 

[Pingo]

Thanks, worked like a charm.

And another small question: I've set up my input masks on the tables, but now I see many discussions on the web regarding it's better to put the input masks on the forms. Which is better practice?

 

[neileg]

I prefer to format at the last possible opportunity, which usually means in a form or report. Leaving data in its 'native' format makes most manipulation easier.

 

[Pingo]

Thanks for the clarification.