More Combo Box Confusion

[kendrad]

I have created a database to keep track of our inventory in the IT department. I have a form that is used to recored equipment intake and then the distribution of that equipment. The form has 2 combo boxes on it. The first combo box is based on a query of all the differnt types of equipment we have i.e. Desktops, Laptops, Monitors etc. (The query consists of the Equipment ID number and the name of the equipment). Once the user chooses the equipment type, the next combo box then lists all of the equipment in that category. ( I finally figured our how to do that thnaks to this board!) Anyway, the problem is, when I go back to the table that this form is based on, Insted of having Desktop, Laptop, Monitor etc. in the Type of Equipment field, it only has has the Equipment ID. I cannot figure out how to get the actual word to appear there, instead of the ID number.

Thanks in advance for your assistnace.
Kendr

 

[Geoff Codd]

if you look at the properties of your combo box you can specify which column is the bound one change that from 1 to 2 and it should work fine

 

[David R]

Sorry Geoff, I'm going to have to disagree. Store the number in the table, it is what binds the two tables together and allows for consistent updates. It will also be much more efficient than storing a long string of text.

In your form/report/query, include the table with the actual device name on it and view THAT column instead of the one from the table. Provided the relationship is defined correctly, you should get the result you want.

You may want to lock the control so that your users don't go changing the names of their devices inadvertently. Have a different form to do that when you need to.

HTH,
David R