Switchboard

[mandywoolf]

Hi Everyone,
As part of my assignment i have to create a switchboard to facilitate the use of my database. I looked under the help option and it tells me to go to tools, then add-ins and lick on switchboard manager. On ym computer however switchboard manager is not there, only add in manager - so how do i create a switchboard?
Please help, thanx
Amanda
xxx

 

[samehkh]

I am not sure if it depends on the version but on mine (2002) it is accessible through Tools->Database Utilities -> Switchboard Manager.

 

[mandywoolf]

thank you!

Thank you sooo much - you really are a lifesaver!
Amanda
xxx

 

[samehkh]

Glad I could help!

 

[mandywoolf]

Don't s'pose you know the answer to this by any chance?

I have to import a table from excel which is no problem, but it then goes on to say that i cannot set my primary key to a null value - not quite sure what that means.

I then create another table with 1 field to look up data from the first table. I set the data type to auto wizard and set it all up. No problem. When i do this however, all the data disappears from the first table and i have no idea why!

Please help as this is my assessment and i am really desperate. Any help you could give would be wonderful.

Thank you sooo much
Amanda
xxx

 

[samehkh]

The first problem is usually caused by an empty cell being imported to a field which the import wizard considers to be a primary key (row identifier). Try filling this field with data before importing if possible or choose another field to be the primary key during the import process or skip creating a primary key at all. You can assign the primary key later in design view, if you need one.
About the other problem, I am not sure I understand what you mean. Do you mean actual data is being deleted from the table?
I dont think this could happen. Please clarify.

 

[mandywoolf]

a bit more info

I import a file from excel. I then set up another table, with one of the fields looking up data from the imported tabe. I did this by changing the data type to lookup wizard. When the table is ready i save it, but the data is not moved from the imported table to the created table, so there is no data in either table. It is really strange.

I don't know if that makes it any clearer. I could let you know the question if you like and you could see what happens if you try? let me know either way, thanx
Amanda
xxx

 

[samehkh]

Probably the first table is empty because of the primary key issue. If you resolve it, you have half the problem solved.
Now I understand that you have a field in a new table that looks up data in the imported table. If the imported table has data in it, the combobox for the lookup field should read some data when opened. But still you have to fill the new table somehow. You cant expect it to be filled just because you based a lookup field in it onto another table.
I hope I am getting closer to understanding your problem.

 

[mandywoolf]

The first table isn't empty. It has all the data that i have imported from excel. I save that, then set about creating the new table. I know that because i've set up the lookup feature the data should move across into the new table, but it doesn't and it just makes absolutely no sense to me.

I'm not really sure what to do from here. I thought that if i entered a lookup field from the created table to the imported table, the table would fill up with data. Do i have to enter something?

The imported table has the following columns:
food, energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate

and the created table has
Food, Date, Quantity. with the food table looking up data from the food fieldf rom theother table.

Hope this makes it a bit clearer - thatnk you soooo much for all your help.
Amanda
xxx

 

[samehkh]

You misunderstood the function of lookup field.
A lookup field simply helps you "choose" between a set of options instead of having to key them in. For example you can careat a table called "State/Province" and then enter "ON,AB,BC,......etc"
Now when you come to a customer table and create a lookup field on the table state province, this field will only help you enter data for customer by choosing his state/province. You still have to enter data in the customer table someway, either manually or by an Insert query. An insert query is a query that reads data from a table and copies the selected fields into another one. You probably need to do this.If you have a textbook it will be listed under "Action Queries"

 

[mandywoolf]

ok, well that makes sense no - thank you.

I have tos et up a query that has all the headings from the created table - ok, i can do this bit
I have to format the food field to lookup food from the imported table - i have done this also
But then what. I am not sure what i would need to enter, would i need to enter a food in the table?

Say i entered butter, would the other fields then fill up due to the lookup field? because it was stored in the other table?

 

[samehkh]

Ah I got what you mean finally!
Search in help under "Autolookup"
Autolookup queries is a feature in access that fills some field for you automatically. But you have to have a primary key in the lookup table so that whenever you choose a value in the other table, there will be one unique set of fields for Access to fill in automatically.

 

[mandywoolf]

wicked - thank you. it is all making sense now. I am about to go to bed now, coz it is late in the UK, but i will try it tomorrow and see what happens. i will post again tommorow, so if you could check again that would be great. thank you heaps for all your help
Amanda
xxx

 

[samehkh]

Sure no problem. I am jobless for now and I do have some time :0)

 

[mandywoolf]

hi again

don't suppose you know anything about excel???

I have 5 columns of data. I hide all the other columns so that only those 5 are seen and try to export the spreadsheet to access. When i do this however, access always comes up with fields 6/7/8 in my table which, even after i have deleted them means that i can't set a primary key?

Any tips?

Amanda
xxx

 

[samehkh]

Try importing from within Access: File-> Get External Data->Import

There is a wizard that will take you throug the process, enabling you to choose which fields you want to import and which you want to discard. It even allows you to discard the first row if it has the headings, and to set the primary key. It is very easy.