Sequential numbers on labels

[KnowNothing]

What I need are membership cards with sequential numbers (with the starting number entered by the user). Each number is assigned to a member and needs to be saved in a table.
To accomplish this I created a table and my own custom label that corresponds to the size of my membership card. I did this by using the label wizard. I then created an unbound text box when the user enters a starting number for the membership cards.
My problem is I have been unable to save the starting number (I tried to do a "update" query from the unbound text box but it never updates the table, only the displayed value) and I can not increment the starting number.

Can anybody tell me how to do this with out having to use a form? I want to be able to do this by just clicking on the report. This seems like it should be easy but the solution so far has evaded me.

 

[burrcm]

The table must have a member number field. Base the report on the table and bind the textbox to it. Then it will increment as it is printed. You can edit the numbers directly in the table if you wish.

Chris B

 

[KnowNothing]

burrcm, thank you for your reply.
I am confused as to how the numbers will automatically increment. The report currently is based on the table. I want to set the starting value for the numbers by using a unbound text box so that it "pops-up" a form to enter the starting value. Can you please explain in more detail how to do this?

 

[burrcm]

I didn't clarify this at all well, sorry. As I see it the best way would be to set up the member number table with all the numbers - 1 to 50,000 or whatever, then create a select query on the table. In the query criteria under the number field put Between [Enter the first number] And [Enter the last number]. Base the report on this query and when you open the report you will get a popup box with "Enter the first number", and when you do the second box will pop up. Should work fine. To fill the table with the sequential numbers, easiest is to copy and paste from Excel.

Chris B

 

[KnowNothing]

burrcm. thank you for your reply.
Since the user wants to be able to specify the starting number for for each group of membership cards your method won't work in this case.

 

[burrcm]

Fair enough. This is actually quite messy. I have done it though by cheating a bit. Getting a set of sequential numbers is easily done in Excel, by entering the first two, selecting them and dragging down as far as you want. Takes only a moment. Now, link the spreadsheet to your database (Get External data - Link Tables - Select Excel ....), create a select query to return the data, and base the report on this. Next time, just delete the numbers in the spreadsheet, add the new range, and open the database. It will be ready to print the new range.

Chris B

p.s. delete any blank worksheets when creating the spreadsheet, so only sheet 1 exists.

 

[KnowNothing]

burrcm, thanks again for your help.
But I found a much easier a easier way. I ended up using 3 unbound text boxes (1 for starting year, 1 for starting sequence number and the third automatically counts starting at 1) I then used a update query that is activated by the "print" event. The actual count is determined by the formula: sequence number = starting sequence number +count - 1 this is with in the "print" event code. I also disabled the verification message that occurred with each update. It now works great and is extremely fast and easy to make future changes.