numbering issue!!!!

[JustMaybe]

can anyone tell me how to solve what i hope is a simple problem!!
every reord on my order form has an automated(autonumber) orderID...however i need a number that is displayed on this form that is only generated when a form is (e.g. invoice)

does anyone even understand this waffle??

basically for audit purposes there has to be consistent numbering e.g. 1,2,3,4,5,6 for the invoice number. not every order has an invoice so this field cannot be my invoiceID.

Is this even possible??

thanks
Sarah

 

[JustMaybe]

...sorry..made amistake

...mean this number cannot be my order ID!!!

 

[Dave Eyley]

Do I gather from your 'waffle' that you have a table containing orders, some of which may have one or more associated invoices?
If this is the case and no 2 invoices may have the same serial no, then have the invoices in a separate table linked by the orderID, but having a separate field called InvNo.
The invoice no. would be incremented by 1 every time you enter the invoice details.
To find the last used invoiceNo from the table, make sure that the InvNo field is a number field, then use the DMax() function to get the value and add 1 for the next Invoice.

I hope my 'waffle' is as good as yours

Dave E

 

[JustMaybe]

Think your exlaining exactly what i'm after

Can you translate your 'waffle' into explanitory terms for an idiot??

 

[Dave Eyley]

JustMaybe I can,

But first - How much do you know about using code in Access databases? I tend to do most of my stuff in code because it's quick.

Further to my earlier 'waffle' -

Have you got access to the Northwinds demo database as supplied by Microsoft. It is packaged on the CD with Access 97?

If so, all your requirements are there.

If not, let me know and I will help.

Dave E