Verifying data in a text box

[jeremie_ingram]

I am trying to something very simplistic, but cant seem to get my thoughts straight on how to achieve my goal.
I have a text box for entering contract numbers on a form. I want the Before update function to verify that the # exists in a table within the database.
The form is not based on the table in question, but a separate table. I am having the users enter the contract #s they need a contract generated for, which is then stored in a table along with other fields representing their selections from option groups.
When they have finished entering the data, they will use a command button to print the forms which are based on query between the Print table and the Main table.
One other note, the data for the contract number is stored as text, because of leading zeros in some cases.
Any suggestions?

 

[Elana]

Have you considered using a combo or listbox to list available contract numbers?

 

[jeremie_ingram]

I would but there are WAY too many records (over 80000).

 

[Elana]

Try using Dlookup - here is a MS Knowledge Base article on the subject of searching for duplicate values. You can modify the code to confirm that a value already exists and if not, then....

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;209479

HTH

E